Social Welfare Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo recently expressed her full appreciation for the collective efforts of Civil Society Organizations that provided “compassionate service” to Super Typhoon “Lawin” survivors in Cagayan Valley.”‹
Based on reports received by Taguiwalo from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office II, the Cagayan Valley Disaster Response Center and Aguilang Pilipino teamed up with the department to distribute family food packs and other assistance to typhoon survivors in Barangays Abariongan Uneg and Calasitan, Sto. Niño, Cagayan.
Abariongan Uneg and Calasitan are both located in far-flung areas in Region II and are homes to the Indigenous Peoples of Aggay who were also devastated by the typhoon, Taguiwalo noted. The Aggays were given FFPs in plastic bags for easier transport to their communities.
“We are grateful that CSOs and NGOs are in solidarity with the DSWD in extending compassionate service and assistance to our kababayans affected by the typhoon,” she said. “This is proof that the collective action between the government and private institutions plays a valuable role to address the fundamental issues of our country.”
Taguiwalo also asked the public to continue reporting to DSWD and to other agencies instances where affected communities still have not received any form of assistance from the government, a month after typhoon “Lawin” hit Luzon.
The people are “essential partners in ensuring that adequate and timely services are delivered to those in need,” she added.
Meanwhile, the DSWD FO-II recently started distributing Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to ‘Lawin’ victims in Isabela after finishing their assessment and validation on the total number of partially and totally damaged houses in the province.
Over the weekend, Carlos Padolina, DSWD Assistant Director for Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DReAMB), and several staff from DSWD FO-II also held a dialogue with Lawin survivors at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Baggao, Cagayan to address their grievances on the response delivered by the local government and the FO.
Taguiwalo assured the public that Lawin relief operations will continue since 1,031 families or 3,670 persons are still taking shelter in 18 evacuation centers in Region III.
To date, a total of P130.47 million worth of relief assistance has been provided to affected families, with the DSWD contributing P121 million, LGUs with P9 million, and NGOs with P525,096.50.
Moreover, the DSWD-DReAMB will also assist field offices that need augmentation and technical support.