IMMEDIATE ACTION. Davao de Oro 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga (center wearing jacket) and Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga (right) immediately rush to a public hospital in the province to check the situation after two strong earthquakes hit the province on Tuesday (March 7, 2023). Government agencies also responded and provided aid to more than 2,000 displaced families. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region immediately sent family food packs and non-food items to earthquake victims in Davao de Oro late Tuesday evening, hours after two strong earthquakes struck the province.
“We ensure that the internally displaced people (IDPs) are appropriately provided with their immediate needs,” DSWD-11 Director Vanessa Goc-ong said Wednesday.
DSWD-11 provided 20 modular tents for affected families in this town; 500 family food packs (FFPs) to Andap, New Bataan; and another 500 FFPs to the provincial social welfare and development office.
In an interview Wednesday, Davao de Oro 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga said more than 2,000 families have been displaced in the municipalities of New Bataan, Nabunturan, Maragusan and Maco.
He noted though that despite the two strong tremors, no death was recorded.
“We are still thankful that no one died. Right now, they are conducting ongoing validation on the ground to determine the damages and the affected families,” Gonzaga said.
He also lauded the resiliency of the residents in times of calamity.
“This is not the first time, but I am surprised that they submitted themselves to the evacuation center. They voluntarily went there,” Gonzaga noted.
He acknowledged the help of the DSWD and other government agencies for their immediate assistance to the province.
Food and other forms of assistance will continue to be provided to affected families, he assured. (PNA)
