LEGAZPI CITY: At least 17 families affected by a fire incident in Masbate province on Monday received cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program. In an interview, Jastin Joy Dichoso Escuro, DSWD Bicol-AICS information officer, said 15 families whose houses were burned to the ground received PHP10,000, and two families whose homes were partially damaged got PHP5,000 each. "The beneficiaries were from Barangay Bapor, Masbate City whose houses were burned down last May 2. Immediately after the incident, we distributed food and non-food items to the victims worth PHP128,772.90," Escuro said. The assistance included two family food packs and sets of non-food relief items such as sleeping kits, hygiene kits, kitchen kits and 10 meters of laminated sacks. In a statement, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio said DSWD remains committed to providing timely and effective support to affected families in t imes of calamities and disasters, ensuring that the agency is always first to respond on the ground. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection-Masbate is continuously conducting an investigation as to the cause of the fire. Source: Philippines News Agency