GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 has opened a satellite office in Marawi City to enhance service delivery for residents affected by the five-month conflict in the area.
Gemma Rivera, DSWD-12 assistant regional director, said Monday the move is aimed to ensure the “efficient and effective” delivery of various basic services and properly address the needs of the displaced residents.
She said the satellite operations center, which is manned by a core of DSWD-12 personnel, is based in Tampilong, Marawi City.
“It is now operational and has started processing the needs and concerns of the IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons),” she said.
Although a part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Marawi City is under the operational jurisdiction of DSWD-12 based in Koronadal City.
The regional office handles the implementation of various flagship programs of the agency and spearheaded the relief operations during and after the siege of Marawi by members of Islamic State-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups.
Rivera said they were tasked by their central office to open the satellite operations center to complement with the ongoing rehabilitation efforts there.
“The satellite office currently handles the grievances of the affected residents,” she said.
An advisory released DSWD-12 on Monday said the operations center is currently assisting IDPs under the first batch with pending claims for financial assistance and family food packs dubbed “Kambalingan Package.”
The agency said the verification process is ongoing for those under the “grievance” list or second batch of the IDPs.
DSWD-12 has already completed the release of assistance packages worth for some 5,783 families from nine barangays of Marawi City that are under the first batch.
The agency said a total of 77,170 families or 353,636 individuals were displaced in Marawi City due to the conflict from May 23 to Oct. 22.
Some 38,949 families evacuated to Region 10 or Northern Mindanao, 33,221 to parts of ARMM and 2,386 to Region 12.
Some of the IDPs evacuated to Region XI, CARAGA, and Region VII.
Some 4,668 families or 20,639 individuals are staying in evacuation centers while 75,502 families are living with their relatives.(PNA)
