The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen its coordination with local government units (LGUs) in assessing the needs of families affected by Typhoon Nina to ensure that they will regain their normal functioning the soonest time possible.

“Bagamat tuloy-tuloy ang pagpapadala ng tulong ng DSWD, nakikita naming mahalaga na mas pahigpitin ang tulungan at koordinasyon sa pagitan ng ahensya at ng mga LGU upang malaman kung ano ang mga pangangailangan ng mga pamilyang apektado ng kalamidad. Mahalaga ang tulungan para mas maagap ang tulong sa mamamayan para mas mabilis din silang makabangon (While the DSWD continues to provide assistance to affected municipalities, we still need to reinforce our coordination with concerned LGUs  in assessing what the families need to hasten their recovery),” DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.

Sec. Taguiwalo expressed hope that more and more LGUs will work in closer coordination with DSWD and its Regional Offices to strengthen their social welfare service capabilities for their constituents.

“We need to coordinate not only during times of disasters, but regularly so we can give what assistance to Filipinos in times of emergencies,” she said.

As of today’s report, 468,554 families or 2,096,509 persons were displaced in Regions CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V and VIII, of whom  1,158 families or 6,227 persons are currently staying in 64 evacuation centers centers while the rest are now back in their homes.

Currently, the DSWD continues to deliver resources to affected municipalities since local governments are expected to request for additional augmentation support to supply the needs of ‘Nina’ survivors.

“Bagamat may mga pamilya nang nakabalik sa kanilang mga komunidad, ang prayoridad nila ay kumpunihin ang kanilang mga bahay. Dahil dito, mabigat talaga ang pangangailangan nila para sa relief aid dahil hindi pa rin sila makabalik sa kanilang mga hanapbuhay  at pinagkakakitaan. Makakaasa sila na tuloy ang pagbibigay ng ayuda ng DSWD (While many families have returned home, their priority is to rebuild their houses. Their need for relief assistance is still very great because as of yet, circumstances prevent them from returning to their usual jobs and means of  livelihood. DSWD will continue to extend help),” Sec. Taguiwalo explained.​

Earlier this week, the local government of Marinduque received 15,000 additional Family Food Packs (FFPs) from the DSWD National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City while other affected LGUs are expected to receive additional resources and technical assistance in the following days since the Quick Response Teams (QRTs) from the DSWD Central Office (CO) will be deployed in Bicol Region to further help in the relief operations. ###