Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced on Wednesday (July 23) the agency is ready to provide cash assistance to eligible families affected by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat and Severe Tropical Storm Crising, as part of the government’s continuing disaster response efforts.
In an interview over DZMM on Wednesday morning, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized the importance of providing additional support to meet the evolving needs of disaster-stricken families.
“Lagi rin sinasabi ng Pangulo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., hindi lahat ng pangangailangan ng isang pamilya ay matatagpuan mo doon sa kahon na yun. Kasi [may iba pang pangangailangan] may gamot, may gatas, iba-iba,” Secretary Gatchalian said, referring to the DSWD’s family food packs (FFPs).
According to the DSWD chief, cash assistance is essential to families whose homes or livelihoods were damaged and who need help with rebuilding or purchasing items not covered by the FFPs.
“After a couple of days in the evacuation center at uuwi na sila at na-analyze ng mga local government units (LGUs) or ng ating mga provincial government na may problema na kailangan pang i-rehabilitate or pang rebuild, doon naman papasok ang DSWD for cash assistance,” the DSWD chief told DZMM.
According to Secretary Gatchalian, the DSWD has already identified several areas—particularly in low-lying, flood-prone communities—that will be provided with cash aid under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Alongside the financial assistance, the DSWD continues to provide FFPs to affected communities.
The production of FFPs at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City and at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu province will continue to maintain a steady supply.
“Umaandar na tayo 365 days a year. Kasi hindi naman bagyo lang binabantayan natin. May earthquake, may sunog,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
The DSWD chief also reaffirmed that the DSWD’s disaster response efforts are non-partisan and collaborative in nature.
“Lahat yan tingin namin sa kanila, partners. The day na itaas ang kamay mo sa gabi ng bisperas ng eleksyon, you stop being a political figure, you become a public servant,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
“Hindi ako pwede pumunta doon, yung mga social worker namin at kami ang magbida-bidahan. Kasi hindi naman namin alam ang totoong sitwasyon. And it’s your responsibility to help national government programs get to your area,” Secretary Gatchalian said when asked about his message for the LGUs. (YADP)