ILOILO CITY — The heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Tropical Cyclone Ferdie, affected 51,781 families or 175,908 individuals across 483 barangay in the Western Visayas region. The Department of Social Welfare and Development Western Visayas (DWSD-6) reported that 7,079 families or 22,724 persons sought refuge in 346 evacuation centers. Additionally, 2,656 families or 8,015 individuals, temporarily stayed with relatives, DSWD-6 said. The severely affected areas are Negros Occidental, with 73,795 individuals displaced; Antique, with 63,216; and Aklan, with 36,640. Antique had borne the brunt of the heavy rains since last week, with 28 villages in eight towns experiencing flooding. The severe weather also caused substantial damage to residential structures, with 240 houses reported damaged in the region. Of these, 30 houses were destroyed, and 210 were partially damaged. Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that around 128 rolling cargoes and 38 vessel trips were canceled, leaving approximately 70 passengers from Aklan and Negros Occidental stranded in seaports. In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas said the number of affected individuals was not that substantial, but the recent weather disturbances highlighted the need to build more socialized housing, especially for families prone to the impacts of natural calamities. DSWD-6 data showed that 406 individuals were affected in Iloilo City, mostly those living in coastal areas. The DSWD-6 said it had already provided food assistance worth P9.3 million to the affected families. The agency also has around P141 million available in relief funds, including P138 million for food and non-food items and P3 million as standby funds. In response to the volcanic unrest of Mount Kanlaon, the DSWD-6 distributed food and non-food items to affected families in Negros Occidental. These included 2,000 family food packs, 500 hygiene kits, 137 blankets and 34 loincloths. Currently, 864 families or 2,682 individuals, have sought temporary shelter in six different evacuation centers in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
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