DSWD 6 Provides Emergency Food Assistance in Iloilo Following Tropical Depression Basyang
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD 6) has taken swift action to support communities impacted by Tropical Depression Basyang, with a recent focus on Ajuy, Iloilo. Through its Iloilo Quick Response Team, the agency distributed ready-to-eat food (RTEF) items to 76 locally stranded individuals in Barangay Bay-ang. These individuals were left unable to proceed to EB Magalona Port in Negros Occidental after sea travel was canceled due to the adverse weather conditions brought by Basyang.
Immediate Relief for Stranded Travelers
The assistance was specifically designed to provide immediate sustenance while the stranded individuals awaited the resumption of sea travel and transportation back to their respective home provinces. This intervention highlights the agency's commitment to addressing the urgent needs of those affected by natural disasters, ensuring they have access to basic necessities during disruptions.
Regional Impact and Response Operations
According to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (Dromic) Report No. 04 as of 12 p.m. on February 7, 2026, Tropical Depression Basyang has affected seven local government units and 11 barangays across Western Visayas. The report indicates that a total of 1,475 families, or 4,972 persons, have been impacted by the weather disturbance.
Of this affected population, 145 families, or 209 persons, are currently staying in six open evacuation centers. Additionally, nine families, or 36 persons, are temporarily seeking shelter outside evacuation centers, mostly with relatives or friends. As of the latest assessment, there have been no reports of totally or partially damaged houses, although validation and field assessment efforts remain ongoing to ensure accurate data.
Financial and Resource Allocation
The total cost of assistance provided so far by DSWD 6 amounts to P223,291. In terms of available relief resources, Western Visayas had P143,270,816.29 as of 8 p.m. on February 6, 2026. This includes P140,270,816.29 worth of food and non-food items, along with P3,000,000 in standby funds, ensuring preparedness for any escalation in needs.
Ongoing Monitoring and Coordination
Under the leadership of Regional Director Joselito Estember, DSWD 6 continues to operate under a 24-hour monitoring status to closely track the situation of communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Basyang across the region. The agency is actively coordinating with local government units to consolidate and verify data on displaced individuals and remaining locally stranded individuals, which will be reflected in subsequent Dromic reports.
DSWD 6 emphasized that its response operations are conducted in line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian. These directives prioritize the immediate provision of assistance to individuals affected or displaced by tropical cyclones, ensuring that timely and appropriate aid reaches those in need.
Future Assessments and Preparedness
The department continues to assess conditions in affected local government units to determine the necessary interventions and assistance required. Coordination with concerned agencies and local government units remains ongoing, with response teams staying on standby for possible augmentation of assistance should conditions worsen. This proactive approach underscores the agency's dedication to the safety, welfare, and immediate needs of communities impacted by tropical cyclones and related hazards.
