The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clarified reports from social media that the agency was selective in distributing relief aids in typhoon-affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao in an interview on Tuesday, Dec. 21
In an interview, DSWD Spokesperson Director Irene Dumlao said that the social welfare department is working 24/7 in repacking relief goods and continuously distributing aid to isolated areas that are affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. She also said that their field offices are now on shifting schedules to ensure it.
“Our field offices, regional directors, and staff under the disaster response management team ay nagtutulungan para maabot ‘yung mga isolated areas gaya nga doon sa Leyte, Palawan, and other parts of Central, Western, and Eastern Visayas at MIMAROPA [Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan],” Dumlao said.
“Hindi naman nangangahulugan na [kapag] hindi na-capture sa report eh hindi na natin nararating,” she added.
Director Dumlao said that DSWD Secretary and Crisis Manager for Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte Rolando Bautista ordered a directive to the agency to mobilize faster distribution of food packs with proper coordination from the local government units (LGUs).
“Ang guidance naman ng ating butihing kalihim ay matiyak na ‘yung pangangailangan sa pagkain ay mabilis na maipahatid natin sa ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan. [Another] part is yung guidance also to ensure our coordination with the stakeholder is in place,” Dumlao said.
As of Tuesday (Dec. 21), DSWD has distributed over P18.2 million-worth of humanitarian aid to the most affected areas of Typhoon Odette, which includes food packs, bottled water, hygiene kits, modular tents, medicines, and other essential non-food items.
More than 112,000 families are staying in evacuation centers while at least 63,000 are staying temporarily with their relatives. -with reports from Eunice Samonte/CC-rir
