LEGAZPI CITY, June 24 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has deployed 16 personnel to Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) to augment disaster response operations in areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani province earlier this month.

DSWD-Bicol Disaster Response and Management Division chief Claudio Villareal said the augmentation team will provide technical and operational assistance in implementing social welfare interventions for families affected by the series of earthquakes in Mindanao.

"They will leave today (June 24), and the tour of their duty is from June 25 to July 2," he said.

The personnel underwent a pre-deployment briefing on June 18 at the DSWD wareho...