The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has incorporated measures to ‘disaster-proof’ its programs and services through the implementation of adaptive and shock responsive social protection systems, an agency official said on Thursday (September 19).

“Lagi kasi nating sinasabi na disasters exacerbate the living conditions of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized so dapat natutulungan natin yung ating mga kababayan na maghanda para sa isang disaster, but at the same time, nagpapatuloy yung ating response operations and we support them toward their early recovery, ” DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency’s spokesperson, said during the Thursday Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao gave reporters examples on how the agency’s program-beneficiaries are empowered to mitigate the impacts of the disasters.

“Yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries may family development sessions (FDS) po yang mga yan. One of the modules of FDS ay yung pong para sa paghahanda para po sa mga disasters. Mayroon din tayong coordination with the DILG for their Operation Listo na programa, so natuturuan, na-cacapacitate yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries na maghanda hindi lamang po pag may bagyo but during volcanic eruptions or earthquakes,” the DSWD spokesperson explained.

Another program that Asst. Secretary Dumlao cited is the pilot implementation of the Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters or B-SPARED Project.

The B-SPARED Project is an anticipatory action (AA) pilot initiative that aims to implement various protective measures before the onset of disasters to mitigate risks and shocks, as well as to help break the cycle of poverty among vulnerable groups due to recurring natural hazards.

“May social protection component wherein mayroon tayong pwedeng ibigay na financial assistance that is what we call anticipatory action,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

By utilizing AA as a proactive approach to natural disasters, the agency was able to help improve the resiliency and adaptive capabilities of families from pilot local government units in Isabela, Surigao del Norte, and North Cotabato. #

Tagalog Version

‘Disaster-proofing’ ng mga programa at serbisyo, patuloy na ginagawa ng DSWD

Tiniyak ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na tuloy tuloy ang ginagawa nilang mga hakbangin upang maging ‘disaster-proof’ ang mga programa at serbisyo na ibinibigay ng ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng adaptive and shock responsive social protection system.

“Lagi kasi nating sinasabi na disasters exacerbate the living conditions of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized so dapat natutulungan natin yung ating mga kababayan na maghanda para sa isang disaster, but at the same time, nagpapatuloy yung ating response operations and we support them toward their early recovery,” pahayag ni DSWD Spokesperson Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao.

Sa ginanap na Media Forum sa DSWD New Press Center nitong Huwebes (September 19) inihalimbawa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao, kung paano mapaghahandaan ng mga benepisyaryo ang magiging epekto ng pagdating ng kalamidad.

“Yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries may family development sessions (FDS) po yang mga yan. One of the modules of FDS ay yung pong para sa paghahanda para po sa mga disasters. Mayroon din tayong coordination with the DILG for their Operation Listo na programa, so natuturuan, na-cacapacitate yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries na maghanda hindi lamang po pag may bagyo but during volcanic eruptions or earthquakes,” sabi ng DSWD spokesperson.

Kabilang din sa mga hakbang na ginagawa ng ahensya ang pilot implementation ng Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters o B-SPARED Project.

Ang B-SPARED Project ay isang anticipatory action (AA) pilot initiative ng ahensya na naglalayong magbigay ng protective measures bago pa man dumating ang kalamidad. Ito ay upang mapagaang ang epekto nito at para na rin tulungan ang mga beneficiaries na hindi na bumalik pa sa mahirap na pamumuhay.

“May social protection component wherein mayroon tayong pwedeng ibigay na financial assistance that is what we call anticipatory action, “ sabi pa ng DSWD Spokesperson.

Dagdag pa niya, ang paggamit ng AA bilang isang proactive approach sa mga natural disasters ay isang mainam na halimbawa ng resiliency at adaptive capabilities ng bawat pamilya. Ito ay kasalukuyang na-implement na ng local government unit sa Isabela, Surigao del Norte, at North Cotabato. #