The Palace on Thursday (Sep. 9) assured that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is closely monitoring the government’s response on the areas affected by #JolinaPH and the preparation for typhoon Kiko.
President Duterte ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to monitor the affected areas as well as areas that will be affected by the calamity. Due to this, the department is preparing for an additional quick response fund.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the DSWD has ₱442.9 million for quick response fund at its Central Office, ₱11.2 million at its field offices in Mimaropa, Region 5, Region 6, and Region 8; ₱32.5 million fund in other DSWD field offices which “may support the relief needs of displaced families.”
He added that 12,535 family food packs are available in disaster response centers.
“Power and communication lines restoration and clearing operations of roads are ongoing in affected areas, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),” Roque said.
In relation to this, DSWD Spokesperson Glenda Relova said, in an interview, they are also preparing for additional funding for typhoon Kiko aside from responding to the effect of typhoon Jolina.
“Ang DSWD ay nakagawa na kami ng parang request for augmentation… A few days ago, we already drafted our request para sa [Department of Budget and Management] DBM, para i-augment itong pondo natin na ito. Kasi alam natin na kinakailangan pro-active tayo eh.”
However, Relova said that the prepositioned amount is still adequate even if typhoon Kiko lands in the country.
“Pero so far naman, itong amount na naka-preposition na ito eh sakto pa ito kahit dumating pa si Kiko, so handa pa rin, makaka-respond pa rin ang ating mga field offices.”
She bared that the DSWD officials continue to monitor areas affected by any kind of calamities as it is the “marching order” of the President.
“Ang ating mga opisyal ng DSWD, mayroon tayong tinatawag kasi na ano convergence team. So sa lahat ng klase ng kalamidad, we see to it at marching order ito ng mahal na Presidente, na kinakailangan nandoon, visible kami,” she said.
According to the department’s data as of Sep. 8, 6:00 p.m., 15,250 families or 61,565 individuals have been affected by typhoon Jolina in 206 barangays in Mimaropa, Region 5, Region 6, and Region 8.
“Mayroon din tayong 2,045 na pamilya or 7,602 na indibidwal na kasalukuyang nasa 131 evacuation centers, dito sa mga nabanggit natin na regions. Samantala, mayroon namang 1,682 na pamilya or 6,070 na katao ang pansamantalang nakikipanuluyan sa kanilang mga kamag-anak,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ralova assured that the monitoring DSWD personnel are ensuring that the evacuees have access to wash facilities, handwashing areas, and shower rooms as well as child and women-friendly spaces. She added that they are also ensuring that COVID-19 minimum health protocols are followed in the area.
Report from Mela Lesmoras/NGS-rir
