Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, joined by officials and personnel of DSWD Field Office XI, distributed aid to families affected by the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that hit Davao de Oro on February 1, 2023.

On Monday, February 20, 2023 the DSWD provided financial assistance to 490 beneficiaries at the Municipal Dome of Monkayo and 620 beneficiaries at the Compostela Municipal Gym. Each beneficiary received P3,000 each under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

During his speech at the payout event in Monkayo, Secretary Gatchalian assured the victims that the DSWD will continue to coordinate with their local government units (LGUs) to guarantee the fast delivery of aid.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na every time na may pangangailangan kayo, ang DSWD ang lumalapit sa inyo, hindi kayo ang humahabol sa amin. Kaya nga, as far as we can, lagi kaming makikipag-ugnayan sa inyong mga local officials para alam namin yung mga pangangailangan ninyo” (We assure you that every time that you need assistance, the DSWD will come to you, and not the other way around. As far as we can, we will continue to coordinate with your local officials so that we are aware of your needs), Secretary Gatchalian said.

“Kaya ang una kong commitment sa inyo, sa ngalan ng ating Pangulo at ng Departamento, immediate financial assistance. Mula ngayon hanggang sa mga darating na araw, magpapayout tayo sa mga bayan na naapektuhan” (My commitment to you, on behalf of our President and the Department, is immediate financial assistance. From now until the coming days, we will be reaching out to the affected towns), the Secretary added.

After the payout activities, Secretary Gatchalian inspected the new evacuation center in Barangay Poblacion, Compostela which was constructed under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). Since its turnover on November 10, 2022, the evacuation center has already served 3,112 households.

The Secretary also met with local officials in Davao de Oro to discuss possible areas of collaboration to improve the delivery of social welfare programs and services to their constituents.

After the meeting, Secretary Gatchalian visited the new satellite office building of DSWD Davao de Oro in Capitol Grounds, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, and inspected the Angels’ Haven Center and Home for the Aged. The residential care facilities provide counseling, home-life care services, medical care, and other necessary interventions to children with special needs, and abandoned, neglected and unattached older persons, respectively.

Secretary Gatchalian is expected to visit other DSWD-managed Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) in the coming weeks to check the condition of residents and ensure the sufficiency of personnel and resources in the centers. ###