DSWD boosts disaster response efforts for Mayon-affected families

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group said the agency has so far provided more than PHP7.8 million in humanitarian aid, including 5,338 family food packs (FFPs), 1,003 ready-to-eat food boxes, and 2,289non-food items. “In collaboration with other agencies and local government units (LGUs), we are intensifying our efforts and making preparations to ensure that the needs of the affected families taking temporary shelter in evacuation centers are well taken care of,” Dumlao said in a news release on Tuesday. (Photo: Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen its disaster response efforts in providing sustained assistance to families affected by Mayon Volcano’s restiveness.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group said the agency has so far provided more than PHP7.8 million in humanitarian aid, including 5,338 family food packs (FFPs), 1,003 ready-to-eat food boxes, and 2,289non-food items.

“In collaboration with other agencies and local government units (LGUs), we are intensifying our efforts and making preparations to ensure that the needs of the affected families taking temporary shelter in evacuation centers are well taken care of,” Dumlao said in a news release on Tuesday.

As internally displaced persons are expected to remain in evacuation centers while Mayon is under Alert Level 3, the DSWD, in partnership with the Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard, established a tent city in Malilipot, Albay.

“Patuloy ang monitoring sa mga tent sites at evacuation areas para masigurong maayos ang serbisyo at agad natutugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga displaced families. Ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian ay walang maiiwan at tuloy-tuloy ang tulong hangga’t kinakailangan (Tent sites and evacuation areas are monitored continuously to ensure that services are orderly and the needs of displaced families are immediately taken care of. The directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary Rex Gatchalian is no one should be left behind and assistance would be sustained until needed),” she said.

In addition to FFPs, the DSWD also serves hot meals through its mobile kitchen.

Potable water is supplied through a mobile water station, benefiting the affected families since the first day of operations on Jan. 9.

Dumlao said relief operations remain uninterrupted, with field teams actively coordinating with LGUs to address the basic needs of affected communities and ensure safe and humane conditions at the tent sites.

“Handa po ang DSWD na tumugon sa mga pangangailangang pangmatagalan ng ating mga apektadong Bicolanos (The DSWD is ready to respond to the long-term needs of affected Bicolanos),” she said.