As the lead agency in the country’s disaster response efforts, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sees the latest Pulse Asia survey, which showed that 51% of Filipinos approve the way the government is responding to the needs of areas affected by calamities, as an affirmation of the agency’s efficient disaster response and management.
The Pulse Asia survey results covered the period from March 23 to 29 with 2,400 adult Filipinos as respondents.
“Tinitignan natin ang approval rating ng ating mga kababayan bilang indikasyon na ang ginagawa nating pagpapalakas ng ating disaster response ay nire-recognize ng ating mga kababayan. Ang patuloy na tiwala ng publiko ang siya nagiging driving force ng ahensiya para lalo pang palakasin at palawakin ang iba’t-ibang program nito,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Wednesday (April 16).
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the Department continues to innovate and enhance its disaster response strategies under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to always operate on better serving the public during disasters.
“Through the DSWD’s Buong Bansa Handa program, we have strategically prepositioned and ensured the availability of goods even before a disaster strikes a certain area,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DRMG official said the prepositioning of relief supplies is part of the directive of President Marcos to bring government assistance to communities for faster response.
“We are pleased that the result of this strategy of prepositioning relief supplies is felt by our kababayans. Rest assured that we will continue our ‘maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo’,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Aside from ensuring that relief supplies are adequately prepositioned nationwide, the Department recently introduced mobile communications, kitchens, clinics, and water systems which are readily deployed in calamity-stricken areas.
Despite the positive approval rating, the spokesperson added that the agency does not stop at innovating and pursuing collaborations to better the services it provides.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao stressed: “The Secretary constantly reminds us not to rest on our laurels. Our main goal is to always find ways to better our operations so that we can timely and appropriately serve the Filipino public. Our core value is to seek ways to serve with extra care and extra love, especially in times of disasters and other crisis situations.”
The DSWD also acknowledges that the collaboration with the local government units (LGUs), partner -development agencies, and other stakeholders is also essential in providing efficient disaster response. (GDVF)