ILOILO CITY — The disaster response cluster of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas on Friday laid down its plan due to the impending closure of Boracay Island this coming April 26.
Delia Villa-Bagolcol, Assistant Regional Director for Operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the cluster meeting emphasized that they will be looking into the condition of families who will be displaced.
“We anticipate that displaced families who will be affected the most are those who are informal settlers. They will be our priority,” said Bagolcol.
She said that they will be coordinating with the concerned local government unit regarding the relocation of families who were served notices to vacate.
Of the 28 that were served, 15 are enrolled with the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps).
She also said that DSWD has prepositioned relief goods in Malay, Aklan ready for pull out when the local government unit (LGU) needs augmentation.
DSWD Regional Director Rebecca Geamala said DSWD has a standby fund of PHP6.2 million for disaster operations and 30,000 stockpile of family food packs.
DSWD will deploy 150 workers to Boracay next week to validate the households that will be affected by the closure based on the report of the LGU.
“If there is a declaration of state of calamity, we could utilize this to help those affected in Boracay,” she said.
Non-resident of the Malay town who will be displaced can avail of assistance under the Aid for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
RDRRMC chair Jose Robert Nuñez last week released a memorandum directing all committee to convene and submit information related to the early recovery of Boracay Island. (PNA)
