By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday, Nov. 18, assured families and individuals affected by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Mindanao of timely assistance in the form of cash, food and non-food items, among others.
DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez made the assurance during the weekly Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Lopez, also the DSWD spokesperson, said the agency is currently assessing the situation in the hard-hit regions, through its Regional Field Offices (FOs) and other government agencies, to identify the needs of the affected individuals, including the families of those who were killed or injured.
“Nakahanda po iyong ating mga Emergency Cash Transfer, nakahanda iyong ating AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) to assist iyong ating mga kababayan na may masisirang kabahayan (Our ECT and AICS programs are ready to assist our countrymen whose houses were damaged),” he said.
Under AICS, Lopez said the agency will distribute up to P10,000.
“But then, when it comes talaga sa pagtulong for you na ipatayo iyong inyong tahanan, interagency na po ito – kasama na iyong DHSUD (Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development) dito at iba pa pong mga ahensiya ng gobyerno (in rebuilding the houses, it will be an interagency task – the DHSUD and other concerned government agencies will be working together),” Lopez said.
Aside from financial aid, Lopez assured the affected families that the DSWD and its FOs will immediately distribute family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items such as hygiene kits, and sleeping kits, among others.
He said the DSWD has P1.43 billion worth of food and non-food items readily available, including a P29.16 million quick response fund that field offices may tap immediately.
He added that at least P14.2 million standby fund is available at DSWD field offices in Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Soccsksargen.
“With the prepositioned asset of the DSWD, we can ensure the timely assistance to our kababayans (countrymen) affected. Ang ating response ay nakahanda (Our response is ready),” Lopez said.
Reported deaths rise to 7
Meanwhile, the reported fatalities toll has climbed to seven, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
In a statement, the NDRRMC said it is validating reports that one died in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; one in Malapatan, Sarangani; two in Glan, Sarangani; and three in General Santos.
Two are also missing in Glan while two were injured in General Santos, the agency said.
As of this posting, some 450 persons were given medical care due to hyperventilation and panic from Davao Region and Soccsksargen.
A total of 32 damaged infrastructures in Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, General Santos, South Cotabato and Sarangani were also reported. (With a report from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)