By Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA
BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will include senior citizens in its orientation programs under the Family Development Session (FDS) of disaster preparedness, an official said Friday.
“Senior citizens will play an important role in educating their family members on how to be prepared and resilient in terms of disaster,” Janet Armas, DSWD-Cordillera regional director, said in an interview.
The official added that the elderly among the vulnerable sectors so there is a need to equip them with the know-how on disaster preparedness.
“They should know at least how to help themselves if there are calamities,” Armas said.
She said the FDS is a requirement under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which beneficiaries are required to attend.
“Aside from the usual audience they have as part of the Family Development Sessions for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the senior citizens will also join the session,” she said.
The expanded 4Ps have senior citizens as beneficiaries, and the DSWD also intends to make their attendance required in the FDS.
“Kung ang pamilya ay handa sa oras ng sakuna, mababawasan talaga ang mga namamatay (If families are prepared for any calamity, there will be fewer casualties),” she said.
Armas said the FDS aims to promote, empower and nurture families to strengthen the capacity to meet familial and parental responsibilities through the conduct of community-based family psycho-educational activities.
She said they began last year with the FDS and oriented 63,000 households.
“Even if the LGUs (local government units) and the municipality are ready, if the families are not, then that is a big problem,” she said.
Armas explained LGUs should always revisit their mitigation, prevention, and preparedness plans to anticipate their response during calamities.
Meanwhile, the DSWD is set to release PHP24 million to the victims of typhoons Ompong and Rosita in the Cordillera. The fund will be in the form of livelihood support to the affected families.
“We are processing cash-for-work, and the sustainable livelihood assistance for the affected areas in the region,” Armas said.
