Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo led the Department in meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) team headed by Executive Director and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad to discuss the disaster response of the government on Wednesday, July 13.

This is in line with Secretary Tulfo’s directive of instituting efficient disaster response operations and preparatory activities as the typhoon season sets in.

Based on Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act, the DSWD is the vice chairperson for Disaster Response of the NDRRMC.  As the vice chairperson, the Department is mandated to lead the Response Cluster and effectively spearhead the government’s disaster response operations.

Aside from being the overall lead in the Response Cluster, the Department is also the lead in the coordination, mobilization, and monitoring of the following: Provision of Food and Non-Food Items Cluster; Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster; and the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Protection Cluster.

Pursuant to this, the DSWD provides technical assistance and resource augmentation (TARA) to the local government units (LGUs), which are considered the first responders during disasters.  Part of the TARA is the provision of augmentation support of food and non-food items and management of evacuation centers.

Joining the Secretary in the meeting were incoming DSWD Undersecretary for Social Welfare and Development Sally Navarro, incoming Undersecretary for Operations Jerico L. Javier, incoming Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Marco Bautista and OCD Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Operations Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV.

The DSWD reminded the public to prepare for the effects of the rainy season as the nation observes the National Disaster Resilience Month this July. ###