MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided relief assistance to some 9,000 persons in Cagayan Valley who were affected by flashfloods brought by continuous heavy rains in the province.

The DSWD assisted the local government units (LGUs) of Camalaniugan, Abulug, Ballesteros, Sto. Niño, and Rizal in Cagayan Valley in providing support to some 2,000 families or 9,834 individuals from 48 barangays.

DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman said the Disaster Management and Crisis Intervention Unit of DSWD Field Office II continues to closely monitor the status of the water level of the Cagayan River and low-lying areas to assist affected families.

The 11 evacuation centers that were opened at the height of the relief operation are now closed since the evacuees have already returned to their respective homes.

Meanwhile, 525 families or 2,163 persons chose to stay in their friends’ or relatives’ houses in nearby areas.

The DSWD-Region II (Cagayan Valley) released P177,160 worth of relief assistance to the stricken families.

Camalaniugan received 250 food packs worth P62,500, while Abulug and Ballesteros towns each received relief assistance worth P35,720 consisting of 100 food packs, 100 packs clothing and three boxes of bottled water.