Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday praised the collaborative efforts of volunteers, local government units (LGUs), government agencies, and other partners in transporting and distributing relief supplies to communities impacted by tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, as well as ongoing rains from the southwest monsoon, locally known as 'habagat.'
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao from the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group highlighted the vital role of these partnerships in ensuring that relief assistance reaches affected families, especially in areas where adverse weather conditions continue to challenge disaster response operations.
'Malaking tulong po sa DSWD na maging katuwang ang ating mga partner agencies, lalong-lalo na po ang ating mga LGUs, na patuloy na tumutulong sa pagdadala at pamamahagi ng relief assistance sa ating mga kababayan (Partner agencies have been a big help to the DSWD, especially the LGUs which continue to help in the delivery and distribution of relief assistance to our people),' Dumlao emphasized in a statement.
In San Fernando, La Union, over the weekend, the DSWD Field Office 1 (Ilocos Region) collaborated with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bauang LGU to transport 2,000 family food packs (FFPs) to the agency's regional warehouse in Barangay Biday. The following day, 15 tricycle drivers from the Federated Tricycle Association of Laoag volunteered to assist DSWD personnel in transporting 1,600 boxes of ready-to-eat food (RTEF) at the Laoag Regional Warehouse.
Similar efforts are ongoing in other parts of the Philippines, with LGUs, City and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other partners aiding in the transport, handling, and distribution of relief supplies.
'Sa panahon ng kalamidad, pinaka-importante yung madala natin agad ang tulong sa mga apektado. Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa bawat volunteer, bawat LGU, at bawat partner organization na naglalaan ng kanilang oras, manpower, kagamitan, at iba pang resources upang makatulong sa ating disaster response (In times of calamities, the most important thing is to quickly deliver help to those affected. We are thankful to every volunteer, every LGU, and every partner organization who spared their time, manpower, equipment, and other resources to assist in our disaster response),' Dumlao added.
She noted that the DSWD remains committed to working with its partners to ensure the swift delivery of assistance to impacted communities. The DSWD spokesperson also acknowledged the offers from volunteer groups and NGOs to assist the agency, indicating their involvement as a reflection of the Filipino 'bayanihan' spirit during crises.
Based on the latest Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information and Communication (DROMIC) report as of 6 a.m. Monday, the DSWD had distributed 54,370 FFPs, 2,722 RTEF boxes, and 1,376 non-food items to communities affected by the combined effects of TCs Luis and Maymay and the habagat. The DROMIC data revealed that 16,135 families, or 58,655 individuals, were residing in 624 evacuation centers nationwide.
Dumlao stated that DSWD regional field offices, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, continue to cooperate with LGUs and other relevant agencies to ensure the timely delivery of assistance, especially to communities that may face further displacement or challenges in accessing basic necessities due to the ongoing rains.
