‘Usman’ victims get psychosocial counseling

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing psychosocial counseling to patients who were injured from the devastation caused by Tropical Depression “Usman” last December.

Social workers from the DSWD field office in Bicol visited the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Albay to check on the Usman victims.

An orientation on DSWD programs was also provided to familiarize the patients of the medical assistance they can take advantage of through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

AICS provides support to the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crisis such as illness or death of a family member through natural and man-made calamities, and other crisis situations.

“Because I live alone, I have no one to accompany me in the hospital. I thank the DSWD for visiting me and I hope that they can help me to finance the medication that I need,” said Nesturio Consulta, one of the patients brought to BRTTH after his leg was injured during the onslaught of Usman.

Meanwhile, the Department is also continuously conducting interview, assessment, and payouts of R5,000 to families in need of burial and medical assistance.

One of the recipients of the DSWD’s burial assistance is Melissa Dubos from Barangay Bariis in Tiwi, Albay. Her partner was electrocuted during a landslide last Dec. 29.

So far, the Department has already provided R36,250,400.69 worth of assistance to the families affected by Usman, of which, R26,478,800.75 worth of aid was provided to the families in Bicol Region.

“We want to express our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the recent calamity. Rest assured that the DSWD will continue to provide comfort and assist you as you recover from the devastation that you experienced,” DSWD spokesperson Glenda Relova said.