MANILA - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to be on alert status by monitoring and assisting local government units (LGUs) in their relief operations for those affected by the various weather disturbances across the country.
To date, the DSWD has already provided augmentation assistance worth more than PHP45 million to localities currently experiencing the effects of the shear line in Regions V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
As to financial assistance, the DSWD has provided more than PHP119 million to 24,455 beneficiaries in Regions V, VIII, and X through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
In Eastern Visayas, the DSWD Field Office (FO) VIII has already served a total of 25,045 families from the provinces of Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Eastern Samar.
On January 12, the DSWD FO-IX delivered 2,750 family food packs and 599 jerry cans with potable water as initial assistance to families affected by the heavy rains and flooding brought by the low pressure area in the localities of Zamboanga City, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Liloy and Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.
Currently, the DSWD maintains stockpiles and standby funds worth over PHP 1.26 billion ready for augmentation to concerned LGUs, if requested.
Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and under the leadership of Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Punay, the DSWD pledged to ensure that all regions affected by weather disturbances will be provided with sufficient augmentation assistance in a timely manner.
Meanwhile, the DSWD Management Committee (ManCom), headed by Dir. Andrew Ambubuyog of the Information and Communication Technology Management Services (ICTMS) held an outreach program and tree planting at the Haven for the Elderly in Tanay, Rizal last Wednesday.
The activity served as an avenue for the Committee, as a policy-making body, to monitor and ensure the overall welfare of the vulnerable sectors, particularly the elderly, through the continuous provision and formulation of necessary policies for social protection programs and services.
As part of the outreach program, the ManCom donated cash and in-kind supplies such as biscuits, canned goods, noodles, beverages, and milk, among others.
Apart from these, members of the Committee planted fruit-bearing seedlings on the grounds of the Haven for the Elderly.
The Haven for the Elderly is one of the DSWD-managed residential facilities that provides temporary care to abandoned, neglected, and unattached older persons aged 60 years old and above. To date, the center is currently serving around 250 older persons. (PNA)
