The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office 5 – Bicol Region has so far provided more than Php339 million humanitarian aid to families and individuals affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) ‘Kristine’ in the Bicol Region.
“In four days time, nai-deliver po agad natin sa Naga City ang 35,000 family food packs (FFPs) kasama po yung six liters bottled waters at iba pang non-food items para sa siyudad ng Naga. Lahat po ng pangangailangan at request ng lahat po ng mga kababayan natin sa Bicol ay naipaabot na po natin sa kanila,” DSWD Field Office 5 – Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio told reporters at the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on November 7.
The humanitarian assistance provided to 462,969 families consisted of FFPs and non-food items such as family kits as well hygiene, sleeping, and kitchen kits.
The DSWD FO-5 also provided financial assistance amounting to Php20.91 million under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
“Dalawang araw po matapos tumama ang bagyong Kristine sa Bicol Region, binisita po agad tayo ng ating butihing Secretary Rex Gatchalian, kasama po mismo ang ating magaling at aktibo rin na Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao… Pumunta po kami sa evacuation centers para tingnan at alamin kung ano pa ang pangangailangan ng Naga,” RD Laurio pointed out.
Director Laurio emphasized that the whole-of-government approach directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr was crucial in the disaster response operations in the Bicol Region, especially in reaching isolated areas that experienced flooding.
“Katuwang natin ang halos lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno—Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Air Force (PAF), Bureau of Fire Protection, lahat po yan. Kung inyo pong maalala, two days after dumating si Secretary Gatchalian sa Camarines Sur ay dumating po mismo ang ating mahal na Pangulo. Siya po mismo ang nag-order sa lahat ng concerned national government agencies na tulungan sa relief operations ang ating mga kasama sa Camarines Sur at Albay,” Director Laurio explained.
The DSWD FO-5 official added: “Ang ginawa po natin, per the directives of the President and the Secretary, gamit po ang chopper ng PAF, the Indonesian government, Malaysian Air Force, Brunei, naitawid po natin yung pagkain sa lugar na yon .”
President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian also distributed cash aid through the Presidential Assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and their families (PAFFF) in the Provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay on Wednesday (November 6).
Inter-FO augmentation
Social workers from other Field Offices also assisted the DSWD Bicol Region in the camp coordination and camp management (CCCM).
“Patuloy po ang isinasagawa nating camp coordination and camp management (CCCM). Alam po ninyo, ang kagandahan dito sa DSWD, ay nag-augment na po ang ating magagaling na Angels in Red Vests from Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Region 7 (Central Visayas) para tulungan yung mga personnel sa DSWD FO 5 para sila ay makapahinga,” Director Laurio said.
According to the Bicol regional director, the personnel from the different FOs are conducting psychological support to individuals inside the evacuation centers and are assisting in CCCM.
“Sila na po ngayon ang nagka-conduct ng psychosocial interventions sa mga evacuation centers and the CCCM para po matignan, maalagaan, at matugunan ang pangangailagan ng ating evacuees,” Director Laurio said.
The DSWD FO-5, through its Protective Services Division, also provided psychosocial support to the bereaved families of those who perished at the height of STS Kristine. (YADP)
