MANILA, July 28 — Local government units (LGUs) are at the front line to give aid during disasters, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) serves as their backup, Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said Friday.
“Kayang-kaya ng LGUs ang first two to three days. Beyond three days, hihingi na sila ng tulong sa atin (The LGUs are capable of responding during the first two to three days of a disaster. Beyond three days, they call for support),” Taguiwalo said during a press briefing held at the DSWD central office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City for the department’s “Ulat sa Bayan”.
She was correcting the notion that people should directly call the DSWD for assistance when a disaster occurs.
Her department, she explained, is mandated to perform “augmentation” once the initial response is delivered by the LGU of the area affected by the disaster.
Taguiwalo said LGUs should first use the resources allocated to them in anticipation of disasters, as stated under the Local Government Code of 1991, and they are expected to be at the front line to provide emergency measures in the aftermath of disasters to ensure the welfare of their constituents.
Citing an example, she said the LGUs of the cities of Valenzuela and Malabon have so far not requested assistance from the department after several families in eight barangays moved to evacuation centers due to floods after two days of heavy rains.
She nonetheless assured that the DSWD is ready to provide support once asked, saying that they have helped the LGUs of Valenzuela and Malabon provide hot meals for the evacuees.
“So,‘wag po kayo magtawag ng tulong sa ‘min kaagad… Kami rin natataranta… Actually, LGUs po yun (Don’t call us directly for help. We also get alarmed. The LGUs are the first responders during calamities),” she said.
Meanwhile, the social welfare chief reported that the department has about 488,800 family food packs (FFPs) worth PHP169.42 million, and other food and non-food items worth PHP470.72 million that are prepositioned at the DSWD’s central and field offices and at the National Resource Operation Center (NROC) in Pasay City.
The department also maintains a standby fund, she said, adding that the Quick Response Fund could be used when the need arises. (Leilani S. Junio/PNA)