By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The construction of the first Mindanao disaster resource hub will soon begin, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Saturday.
In a news forum in Quezon City, DSWD Disaster Response Management Group Asec. Irene Dumlao said P500 million had been allocated to kickstart the first phase of the project.
The DSWD currently has two production hubs—one in Luzon and another in Mandaue City to cover the Visayas region.
The soon-to-rise Mindanao hub will be located in the Caraga Region.
“Mahalaga ito sapagkat matutugunan at ma-susuportahan niya ang implementasyon natin ng Buong Bansa Handa Program.
Kailangan na mas ma-strengthen natin ang production at prepositioning of goods to support immediate relief assistance kapag mayroong kalamidad na nangyari at massive simultaneous disasters happening in the country,” Asec. Dumlao said.
Under the Buong Bansa Handa Program, the DSWD will use the production centers as hubs to maximize both government and private sector resources for swift response during disasters.
In the same forum, Dumlao said the department remains on alert and on standby to give additional support in the Visayas and Mindanao as Tropical Depression Basyang (international name: Penha), now downgraded to a low pressure area, left thousands displaced in the regions.
In addition to the prepositioned food packs, she said, the DSWD is also prepared to provide emergency cash transfers and financial assistance, if necessary.
