THE Department of Social Welfare and Development was grateful Wednesday for the growing solidarity between the Philippine government and the People’s Republic of China with the latter’s P100-million cash aid for the department’s anti-poverty programs.
The donation was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City last December 16.
The donation aims to finance livelihood programs and strengthen the department’s anti-poverty and disaster relief programs.
“I am particularly happy that this money will be used for the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which is an important focus of our department. We are trying to develop and strengthen our programs that will create jobs, create businesses so that the poor can stand on their own, as well as assistance to our community-initiated development programs, disaster response and protective services,” Taguiwalo said.
Jianhua assured the Philippine government the Chinese Embassy would continue to work with the DSWD to help the people in the poorest areas of the country.
Last November, the People’s Republic of China turned over P35 million to the DSWD to help fund the department’s recovery and rehabilitation efforts for calamity-stricken areas.
This is in addition to the Chinese government’s P60-million donation for families affected by Typhoon “Lawin.’’
Taguiwalo said the amount would go a long way in helping the citizens and was proof the government and China were committed to help the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, the DSWD, through its field office in Eastern Visayas, reported Wednesday it had been providing assistance to 31,511 families or 138,559 persons affected by torrential rains brought by the tail-end of a cold front in Eastern, Western and Northern Samar.
According to the Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau, the department has provided P2,512,303 worth of relief assistance to the affected communities through the local government units.
DSWD-Eastern Visayas has initially prepositioned 9,000 family food packs, 7,225 hygiene kits, and 15,000 malongs in 14 towns in Samar affected by the inclement weather.
In addition, the regional office is set to deliver 3,500 FFPs, 1,600 hygiene kits, 3,000 malongs, and 95 cereal boxes in the municipalities of Maslog and Can-avid in Eastern Samar; Catubig in Northern Samar; and Arteche in Eastern, Samar.
Some 12,521 families or 55,129 individuals are staying in 19 evacuation centers while 701 families or 3,505 persons are with their relatives and friends.
Aside from the displaced families, the inclement weather has also damaged 11 houses in Eastern Samar and two houses in San Jose de Buan, Western Samar.
Taguiwalo has directed all members of the Social Welfare and Development Team at the provincial level and the Quick Response Teams at the regional level to continue monitoring the affected areas for possible augmentation support and technical assistance.
“We are continuously coordinating with local governments in Eastern Visayas to immediately provide for the needs of the affected families. Aside from initial assistance and prepositioning of goods, we shall conduct an area assessment on the extent of the damage brought by the torrential rains and to determine other interventions that are needed by the affected families,” she said.
The DSWD is also monitoring a new low pressure area spotted in the eastern portion of Mindanao that could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday.
Aside from the new LPA, the department is also gearing up for the possible effects of the northeast monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and isolated thunderstorms in the whole of Luzon.
Currently, the DSWD Central Office, FOs, and the National Resource Operations Center maintain a total of 576,464 FFPs and available Food and Non-Food Items amounting to P556,907,058.20 that can be used to respond to all kinds of disasters that may arise.
There is also a total PHP134,257,647.79 in standby funds at the CO and FOs, of which P86,997,102.65 is available as Quick Response Fund.