The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office XII (DSWD-FO XII) provided  2,000 bags of rice to the estimated 1,000 protesters who staged a rally  at the Regional Government Center in Koronadal City last week.

This was the agreement reached during a dialogue with the DSWD-FO XII and the rallyists.

It can be recalled that the  protesters were demanding for 15,000 bags of rice to be distributed to the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani, and General Santos City,  as a result of the El Niño phenomenon in these areas.

They brought  the rice aid with them when they returned to their places of origin, after four days of holding protest.  The rice will be distributed in their respective barangays and will benefit 4,000 families that are affected by drought.

Aside from the bags of rice, DSWD also distributed hygiene kits and malongs to women, children and elderly rallyists.

DSWD-FO XII Director Bai Zorahayda Taha said that aside from the provision of rice assistance,  the identification of strategies to ensure a platform for peaceful response to the demands of the protesters was also tackled.

One of the strategies identified  was  to involve beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the repacking and distribution of 25-kilos of rice in the barangays. For this, they will receive P207 per day until the repacking ends, as part of the Cash-for-Work (CFW).

Likewise, the Field Office also partnered with the National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and church-based groups to ensure that the IPs and the distant location are reached.

“We are optimistic that the rallyists will not return to the streets anymore because there is an ongoing distribution of rice aid  to drought-stricken families at 25 kilos per family in Region 12,” Dir. Taha said.

To date, a total of 98,000 bags of rice  has  been released to  the four provinces for drought- affected families in Region XII.

The DSWD -Central Office  has also downloaded additional funding support to address the rice and food requirements of affected families.

Moreover, the Regional El Nino Task Force has also convened to determine further budgetary support to address the requirements of food for 3-6 months after the planting season had started while the farmers are yet to harvest their crops.

Staff from the Field Office continue to coordinate with local social workers and Pantawid Pamilya parent-leaders for the monitoring of relief distribution.

Along with the rest of the government, DSWD recognizes the urgency of responding to the situation of hunger affecting the poor in many parts of the country. ###