A TOTAL of 1,153 affected families of the Leon Garcia, Agdao fire last Oct. 15, and Kasilak, Bucana on Oct. 16, received P10,000 in financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The payout was done at Leon Garcia Sr. National High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
Under the AICS program, 1,074 beneficiaries from Leon Garcia and 79 from Bucana will receive the aid, a total of ₱11.53 million.
Data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) show that 1,074 families, or 2,507 individuals, were affected in Leon Garcia, and 79 families, or 246 individuals, in Bucana.
In Leon Garcia, 1,062 houses were totally damaged, and 12 were partially damaged. In Bucana, 38 houses were totally damaged, and nine were partially damaged.
As of October 23, 521 families, or 1,591 individuals, remained in five evacuation centers.
In Leon Garcia, 442 families, or 1,345 individuals, are staying in four sites: Barangay Leon Garcia Sr. Gym: 120 families (293 individuals); Leon Garcia NHS: 182 families (509 individuals); Emmanuel Garcia Elementary School: 55 families (302 individuals); Agdao Skate Park: 85 families (241 individuals).
Meanwhile, in Bucana, 79 families, or 246 individuals, are staying at Kasilak Gym.
DSWD XI said the aid it has provided so far totals ₱23,510,840. Leon Garcia accounts for ₱21,791,280 and Bucana for ₱1,719,560.
The assistance includes family food packs, ready-to-eat food packs, hot meals, family clothing, kitchen, hygiene, and sleeping kits, and cash aid.
The agency reported a standby fund of ₱2,830,170 and prepositioned food supplies in municipalities across the Davao Region.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the national government will keep supporting families displaced with food aid, to be followed by housing and livelihood assistance.
Gatchalian and Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, along with Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, visited the fire victims on October 23.
“Food packs are not a one-time delivery; the DSWD regional office has been told to keep distributing aid while stocks last, and warehouse supplies are being replenished,” Gatchalian told reporters.
For longer-term help, he said the DSWD is coordinating with the Department of Housing so families can eventually move to new homes.
Livelihood support will follow through the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program and the Department of Labor, while housing plans will depend on the local government.
