Due to the prolonged effect of the ongoing siege in Marawi City, the National Response Cluster chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), agreed during a meeting yesterday to look into a longer-term of assessment of the needs of affected citizens, specifically the requirements for the early recovery and rehabilitation of the city.

During the meeting, the cluster saw the need for a variety of arriving goods that will be provided for the refugees since a long period of assistance must be provided for the affected families.

The officials also discussed a draft plan for a tent city and its potential site with Marawi City local government officials and the DSWD-ARMM to ease overcrowding in evacuation centers.

Likewise, the provision of tents for affected communities is also one of the important points discussed by DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo at the Malacanang press conference earlier today since the government is in the process of providing tents for the affected families.

“Yung tents po ang mahalaga na sana mapaghandaan natin. Habang ang physical construction of the city ay ongoing, dapat ay magkaroon sila ng lugar na matitirhan (What is important is to provide tents for the affected families so that while the reconstruction of the city is ongoing, they will have a place to stay),” she said.

In addition to the augmentation assistance of the DSWD, the Secretary also said that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already downloaded P662,500,000 to the DSWD which the social welfare agency used to purchase needed family food packs, hygiene kits, and other non-food items such as kitchen utensils.

Sec. Taguiwalo also commended the efforts of private organizations and other civil society organizations (CSOs), including health practitioners who are conducting psycho-social interventions and other medical assistance to aid the families, especially the pregnant women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) displaced by the conflict.

“This is an all government effort and the private sector, the CSOs and other humanitarian agencies have been working with our government to provide assistance needed by our people. We are happy and grateful that we have volunteers from all sectors of society, including professionals,” said the social welfare chief.

Lastly, the Secretary assured the public that not a single peso intended for the response, relief and rehabilitation of Marawi will be pocketed by officials of the DSWD.

“Matitiyak nyo ho na walang pong mapupunta sa bulsa ng DSWD. Titiyakin ho namin na mapupunta po ang mga ito sa mga nangagailangan (We guarantee you that not a single peso will be pocketed by the DSWD and rest assured that all of the funds will be utilized for those who are in need),” she ended. ###