The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday (December 11) inked the first memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) pertaining to disaster preparedness and response protocol.

“I am proud to note that this is the first MOA between the DSWD and the MSSD-BARMM concerning disaster protocols, technical assistance, benchmarking, and other collaborative efforts,” Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said during the ceremonial signing at the agency’s Central Office’s Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) in Quezon City.

The agreement signed by Undersecretary Cajipe, who represented Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie, aims to establish a legal framework for a coordinated approach to disaster response in the BARMM including the provision of needed welfare goods and technical assistance during disasters and calamities.

The framework will also cover the procedures for requesting family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items (NFls) from the DSWD Central Office and Field Offices 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).

The DSWD and the MSSD-BARMM also agreed to exchange best practices through benchmarking activities.

“As outlined in the MOA, the DSWD and the MSSD-BARMM are committed to working together to foster a mutually beneficial partnership within the bounds of the law to achieve the goals and objectives set forth in applicable legislations, existing mandates, and regulations,” Undersecretary Cajipe said.

Republic Act No. 11054 or the “Organic Law for the BARMM” states that the Bangsamoro Government shall exercise authority over the social services, social welfare, and charities in the BARMM.

According to the DRMG undersecretary, it is appropriate to establish a working protocol with the MSSD for the efficient and effective implementation of the programs and services, particularly the disaster-preparedness and response, in recognition of the autonomy and right to self-governance of the region.

“We are optimistic that this MOA will solidify the partnership between our agencies as we continue to serve our kababayans,” Undersecretary Cajipe said.

MSSD Minister Jajurie expressed the ministry’s commitment to better collaboration and cooperation with the DSWD, saying, “we are from the same family.”

“The MOA is just the start and we hope that we will be able to learn more about the work of the DSWD so that it will enrich the work of the MSSD,” Minister Jajurie said.

Minister Jajurie noted that the MSSD recently passed the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Law in the BARMM.

“Aside from disaster response, we are now looking at the human rights-based concerns of those who may be affected by human-induced or natural disasters. I think the DSWD can help us institutionalize our programs,” Minister Jajurie said.

The MSSD is the agency mandated to provide a balanced and responsive approach to social welfare in which the rights, needs, and interests of all citizens within its jurisdiction are protected and addressed at all times.

The MSS gives special focus on the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, including women, children, senior citizens, differently-abled persons, indigenous cultural communities, internally displaced persons, and those similarly situated by analogy, especially during the existence of a crisis, whether natural or human-induced, that affects their well-being and their participation in community affairs.# (YADP)

Tagalog Version

DSWD at Ministry of Social Services ng BARMM, lumagda sa 1st disaster protocol MOA

Lumagda sa isang Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) para sa isang disaster preparedness and response protocol ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Sa ginanap na ceremonial signing sa DSWD Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) sa Quezon City sinabi ni DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe “I am proud to note that this is the first MOA between the DSWD and the MSSD-BARMM concerning disaster protocols, technical assistance, benchmarking, and other collaborative efforts,” said during the ceremonial signing at the agency’s Central Office’s.”

Ang kasunduan ay nilagdaan ni Undersecretary Cajipe, na tumayong representative ni DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian at MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie. Ang nasabing kasunduan ay naglalayong magkaroon ng legal framework para sa mas maayos na gawain para sa sa disaster response sa BARMM kabilang na ang pagbibigay ng mga kinakailangang tulong sa panahon ng kalamidad.

Kabilang din sa framework ng kasunduan ang proseso para sa request ng family food packs (FFPs) at mga non-food items (NFls) mula sa DSWD Central Office at Field Offices 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), at 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).

“As outlined in the MOA, the DSWD and the MSSD-BARMM are committed to working together to foster a mutually beneficial partnership within the bounds of the law to achieve the goals and objectives set forth in applicable legislations, existing mandates, and regulations,” ayon pa kay Undersecretary Cajipe .

Dagdag pa niya, “We are optimistic that this MOA will solidify the partnership between our agencies as we continue to serve our kababayans.”

Nagpahayag naman si MSSD Minister Jajurie ng maayos na pakikipagtulungan sa ahensya.

“The MOA is just the start and we hope that we will be able to learn more about the work of the DSWD so that it will enrich the work of the MSSD,”sabi ni Minister Jajurie.

Sabi pa niya, “Aside from disaster response, we are now looking at the human rights-based concerns of those who may be affected by human-induced or natural disasters. I think the DSWD can help us institutionalize our programs.” # (MVC)