ILOILO CITY, July 17 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released at least PHP12.8 million worth of relief assistance to families affected by inclement weather in Western Visayas last week.

Speaking during the first episode of the relaunched "DSWD SAIS Serbisyo" Facebook program on Friday, DSWD information officer Therese Fely Legaste reported that, as of Thursday afternoon, the adverse weather had affected 18,124 families, or 65,620 individuals, from 526 villages in 50 local government units across the region.

Legaste said nearly all evacuation centers have already closed, with only one family remaining in an evacuation center. Seven other affected families are temporarily staying with relatives and friends....