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| English: Zamboanga International Airport Zamboanga City (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as of 10:00 a.m. today, 2,912 families composed of 9,440 individuals have been displaced by the ongoing clash between government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga City.
The displaced families are temporarily staying at the city grandstand, Tetuan Church, Tetuan Elementary School, Mampang Elementary School, Talon-Talon National High School, and the DPWH compound, which are used as evacuation centers.
The 287 persons who sought temporary shelter at the DSWD Regional Office were given hot meals and were later transferred to the city grandstand.
Likewise, 60 passengers are currently stranded at the local wharf bound for Sandakan.
Although the DSWD-Field Office IX has available standby funds in the amount of P549,273.06 and 1,693 standby family packs, Secretary Soliman said that additional fund of P850,000.00 from the DSWD Central Office will be released to DSWD Region IX today to address the immediate basic needs of the affected families such as food and water.
In her report to Secretary Soliman, DSWD Region IX Director Zenaida Arevalo said that the local government of Zamboanga City imposed an 8:00 .p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew in all barangays. Only people working directly in managing the situation are permitted to go around the city during curfew hours. Classes remain suspended in all levels in both public and private institutions as well as work in all offices.
The DSWD will continue to monitor the situation and attend to the needs of the displaced families.
