After visiting evacuation centers in Pasig City and Las Pinas city earlier in the day, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday (July23) makes a quick stop at the Talipapa High School in Caloocan City—one of the designated evacuation centers for evacuees of habagat
and Tropical Cyclone Crising.

The DSWD chief walked through the temporary shelter to personally check on the condition of the evacuees and the provision of essential amenities for them by the local government.

Joining Secretary Gatchalian in the site visit were Caloocan City First District Rep. Oscar “Oca” Malapitan and Caloocan City Mayor Dale “Along” Malapitan.(YADP)

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Continuing the government’s on-the-ground support for communities hit by the habagat, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday (July 23) visit displaced families at the evacuation center in Rosario Elementary School in Pasig City.

The evacuation center, which currently shelters close to 300 individuals, includes a designated child-friendly space where the two cabinet officials spent time engaging with young evacuees.

Secretaries Gatchalian and Herbosa, along with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, engaged the children in light banter while distributing snacks and checking on their well-being.

The visit aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that government aid is both responsive and compassionate, especially to the various needs of the evacuees.

Prior to the Pasig City visit, the two secretaries went to an evacuation center in Las Pinas City. # (LSJ)

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office 5- Bicol Region delivered on Wednesday (July 23) 3,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) to the municipality of Polangui to help communities cope with the impending effects of Tropical Cyclones ‘Dante’ and ‘Emong’ as well as the habagat.

The boxes of FFPs were transported from the Pawa Warehouse in Legazpi City to Polangui, which is Albay’s catch basin, through the help of the 49th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, The Good Samaritan, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Polangui.

The DSWD remains on high alert as it continues to coordinate with concerned local government units (LGUs) for the swift dispatch of aid. (AKDL)

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In an interview over DZMM on Wednesday morning, Secretary Gatchalian said these food packs have not only reached families inside evacuation centers, but also those assisted by local government units (LGUs) in house-to-house relief operations.

“Base sa datos namin ngayong umaga, yung nasa loob ng mga evacuation centers natin ay 34,000 na pamilya pero ang na-distribute na natin na food packs ay more than 200,000 na. So bakit malaki yung naibigay na kesa sa loob ng evacuation center? May mga lugar kasi na sobrang widespread na yung problem… ang ginagawa ng mga LGUs binabangka isa-isa — house to house delivery. ‘Yung tulungan natin ngayon ng local at national government units, madikit talaga,” Secretary Gatchalian told DZMM.

The DSWD chief told the program anchors that the number of dispatched FFPs is expected to soar to more than 300,000 as the agency continues to process the requests for relief augmentation of disaster-stricken LGUs.

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s directive to ensure the welfare of disaster-hit families, the DSWD chief has been making rounds of evacuation centers in Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal and in different parts of Metro Manila that were among areas that bore the brunt of the habagat and ‘Crising.’

Secretary Gatchalian will carry this over today in open evacuation centers in the cities of Las Piñas, Pasig, Caloocan, and Navotas.

“Pag nag-anunsyo na ang mga LGU, panawagan ko sa mga taumbayan sumunod na tayo, ‘pag sinabi ni Mayor na lumikas, lumikas na tayo. Eto ang assurance ng DSWD, pag nasa loob kayo ng evacuation center tutulungan namin kayo. Huwag kayong matakot pumunta sa evacuation centers,” Secretary Gatchalian said as he urged Filipinos to prioritize their safety.

Aside from the 200,000 FFPs provided, the agency has also delivered ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, the latest addition into the agency’s relief supplies.

The RTEF is actively tapped in relief operations, particularly in port areas for stranded passengers, and as initial aid to evacuees while community kitchens in temporary shelters have yet to be set-up.

In Central Luzon, the Mobile Kitchen of the DSWD is upscaling the LGUs’ capacities to provide hot meals to families inside evacuation centers.

“Umaandar tayo 365 days, hindi lang bagyo ang binabantayan natin eh. Sa ilalim nga ng programa natin na Buong Bansa Handa, 3 million ang naka-preposition sa mga kulang-kulang na 1,000 warehouses natin nationwide. So, pag tumama kung saan man, kasi katulad nitong Crising at habagat na ang lawak ng epekto, sabay sabay kailangan kumikilos ang Field Offices natin, nakakagalaw tayo ng mabilis,” Secretary Gatchalian said. (LSJ)

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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)

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In the continuing government efforts to ensure the comfort and well-being of evacuees, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday (July 23) mingle with families and individuals staying at an evacuation center in Barangay Zapote in Las Pinas City.

The two Department chiefs also joined local officials led by Las Pinas Mayor April Aguilar in the distribution of relief goods to 133 displaced families at the evacuation center.

The DSWD chief, together with other cabinet secretaries, has been making the rounds of evacuation centers in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to assure evacuees of continuous government help while staying at the temporary shelters. (MBM)

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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday (July 22) brings cheer and lifts the spirits of evacuees taking temporary shelter at the evacuation centers in Barangays Marulas, Gen. T. De Leon, and Ugong in Valenzuela City as the former mayor interacted and engaged them in joyful banter.

After Valenzuela City, the DSWD chief proceeded to visit the evacuees in nearby Barangay Potrero in Malabon City.

The DSWD chief also led the distribution of relief goods to the evacuees in the two cities.

Secretary Gatchalian has been making the rounds of various evacuation centers since Monday (July 21) to check on the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and determine other interventions that they may need to cope with their present situation.

The DSWD Secretary has visited evacuation centers in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region, and Rizal province. (MBM)

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“Kung ang tanong ay paano makakakuha ng ayuda, ang unang hakbang ay makipag-ugnayan sa inyong mga LGUs. May sarili silang mga goods, at dinadagdagan naman ‘yun ng DSWD,” Secretary Gatchalian said during the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) virtual press briefing on Tuesday (July 22).

Secretary Gatchalian explained that LGUs are the first responders in times of calamities, as mandated by the Local Government Code. But the DSWD sends augmentation support upon the request of local chief executives (LCEs).

“Kung matatandaan natin sa Local Government Code, ang first line of defense—ang rumeresponde una sa sakuna ay ang local government units, ang mga city hall natin, provincial governments, municipal governments,” the DSWD chief said.

“Dyan pumapasok ang DSWD, inu-augment natin o dinadagdagan natin ‘yung maaaring maging kakulangan ng mga LGUs sa pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga constituent,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

Secretary Gatchalian also emphasized the agency’s proactive approach to disaster response, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive that the DSWD must always be present on the ground.

“Ang utos ng ating Pangulo, kailangang omnipresent ang DSWD—laging nandoon sa mga lokalidad,” the DSWD chief said.

Secretary Gatchalian told the Presidential Communications Office-sponsored media briefing that the DSWD’s readiness is made possible through its extensive prepositioning of relief goods and continuous repacking of family food packs (FFPs) in the agency’s main productions hubs in Pasay City and Mandaue City in Cebu province.

“We have close to 1,000 warehouses nationwide. ‘Yung 3 million FFPs na naitala noong nakaraang linggo ay hindi lang nakaimbak sa isang lugar. Iyan ay naka-preposition na sa buong bansa, pati sa mga liblib na lugar,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.

“Hindi tayo nagre-repack lang kapag nandiyan na ang bagyo. Nakahanda tayo araw-araw, 365 days a year,” the DSWD chief added.

Based on the latest Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) report, the DSWD has provided more than Php 66 million worth of food and non-food items to LGUs affected by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Crising’ and the southwest monsoon or the habagat. (YADP)

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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)

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“In light of the recent flooding which affected various regions across the country, the DSWD is inviting volunteers to assist us in the production of relief goods at the NROC, the agency’s main disaster response hub in Pasay City. The FFPs that will be produced will replenish those already dispatched,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Tuesday (July 22).

The NROC warehouse is located at Chapel Road, Barangay 195 in Pasay City. Its nearby landmarks are the Airport Police and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Interested groups and individuals may contact Ms. Shara Lee or Mr. Kevin Sanchez at 09954005548 or 09260612646, from 8AM to 5 PM.

For inquiries, the public may also email the NRLMB through their email address — volunteer.nrlmb@dswd.gov.ph.

Volunteers are requested to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes, and to bring their own bottled water and packed meals.

Before deployment, the participants will undergo a 30-minute orientation to familiarize them with the safety protocols and ensure their meaningful and enjoyable volunteer work at the NROC.

“We appreciate the participation of our kind-hearted kababayans who want to share their time to contribute to the swift delivery of assistance to families and individuals who are currently facing crisis and displacement,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (AKDL)

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