DSWD assures enough funds for ‘Ambo’ response

In a statement Thursday night, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency is ready to provide technical assistance and resource augmentation to local government units (LGUs) that will be affected. (File photo by Ramon FVelasquez/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the public that it has enough resources on standby to prepare for the damage brought by Typhoon Ambo.

In a statement Thursday night, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency is ready to provide technical assistance and resource augmentation to local government units (LGUs) that will be affected.

“Concerned FOs (field offices) have already started their coordination with LGUs for deployment and augmentation of resources to ensure that there will be sufficient provision of goods in areas along the typhoon’s track,” she said.

As of Wednesday, the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) reported that it has maintained stockpiles and standby funds worth PHP1,186,727,653.

Of the amount, the Department has a total of PHP242,578,175 standby funds; 413,339 family food packs (FFPs) amounting to PHP184,141,596; other food items amounting to PHP271,434,253, and non-food items (FNIs) amounting to PHP488,573,627 which can be used for disaster response.

The DSWD urged the public to remain vigilant for the possible impacts of the typhoon. Residents are also advised to heed all the warnings of their respective LGUs for possible evacuation and other safety measures.

Based on Republic Act (RA) 10121 or the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, LGUs are the first responders in the event of natural and man-made disasters.

RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 also stipulates that LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers.

DSWD, in turn, is mandated to provide augmentation support to the LGUs and capacitate them to handle emergencies or calamities.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said physical distancing will be implemented on a “per family basis” in evacuation centers for families hit by Ambo.

He said LGUs will see to it that social distancing is observed in the possible evacuation of vulnerable residents.

Roque, meanwhile, assured that the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Oplan Listo” would be in full force amid the country’s fight against Covid-19.

Oplan Listo protocols are required to be undertaken by local officials before, during, and after any calamity.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said physical distancing, personal space provisions, one-way entrance and exit scheme, clean toilets, ample sanitation facilities, proper waste management regulations, presence of infirmaries, among others, must be in place inside the evacuation centers.