“Magsabi lang kayo.”
This was the message of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian to local government units (LGUs) as he reiterated that there is no politics in aid distribution and concerned Field Offices are ready to assist them in responding to the needs of their constituents.
“Sa DSWD wala kaming pinipili dahil bawat buhay mahalaga at nananalig kami na gayon din ang opinyon nyo [mga lokal na pamahalaan], gayon din ang inyong pananaw. Sa ganoong mga panahon, ang bawat buhay mahalaga, walang pinipili, lahat tinutulungan at ang DSWD handang umagapay sa mga pangangailangan ng inyong mga constituent. Magsabi lang kayo sa amin,” Secretary Gatchalian told LGUs during the media briefing hosted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Tuesday (July 22).
Secretary Gatchalian, who was a former three-term mayor of Valenzuela City, said he fully trusts LGUs that they are capable of prioritizing the needs of all their affected constituents.
“Sa ating mga local government units, ako, galing ako sa hanay n’yo, mataas ang aking pananalig na alam natin ang prayoridad natin ay ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan. Naniniwala ako na sa pakikipagtulungan sa inyo, mabilis na makakarating ang ating mga relief pack para sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
According to Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, and Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, LGUs are the first responders in times of disasters.
As first line of responders, LGUs should ensure that disaster-related efforts, from pre-emptive evacuation to the restoration of their constituents’ livelihood, are effectively and efficiently performed.
The Local Government Code stipulates that LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers at the first instance of disaster.
The DSWD, on the other hand, provides augmentation support in terms of food and non-food items as well as technical assistance in the management of evacuation centers, especially in large-scale disasters.
During the press briefing, Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD has so far catered to the request of the different LGUs for resource augmentation.
“Right now, ang pending request na lang sa amin ay mga nasa 40,000 [FFPs]. We already catered to almost 100,000 [FFPs] tulad ng nabanggit ko kanina, 95,000 [FFPs] na ‘yong na service natin na mga request para sa kanilang mga constituents mula sa local government units. May natitira na lang na mga 40,000 [FFPs}. And as we speak right now, pini-pick up na nila at pwede na nilang kunin ‘yon mula sa repacking centers natin,” Secretary Gatchalian told PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro who moderated the online press briefing.
Secretary Gatchalian also reminded citizens to continue to coordinate with their respective LGUs to prevent untoward incidents, especially with the approaching low-pressure area (LPA) that may develop as a tropical depression.
“Una, makinig ho tayo sa ating mga local officials. Pag sinabing kailangan natin lumikas, kailangan natin mag-preemptive evacuation. Importante yun, alam ko na sa isipan nyo, medyo magiging hindi tayo komportable sa loob ng evacuation center. Tama naman yun, pero sisiguraduhin ng DSWD na makikipag tulungan kami sa inyong mga lokal na pamahalaan para masigurado na ang inyong mga pangangailangan sa loob ng evacuation center ay nagagampanan—pagkain, tutulugan, mga gamit pang luto o hygiene kits,” the DSWD chief said. (AKDL)