DSWD FO-3 Regional Director Venus Rebuldela told reporters during the agency’s Thursday Media Forum on August 29 that the FO is closely coordinating with concerned local government units (LGUs) on the status of the on-going clearing operations on the oil spill incident.
“Sa ngayon ang ating Departamento, sa pamamagitan ng RDC ay on-going pa yung ating pag-momonitor kung ano yung nangyayari sa oil spill,” Director Rebuldela said during the media forum held at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
Director Rebuldela reported that the FO-3 has already sent 11,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) as resource augmentation to the most affected municipalities.
“Sa DSWD, ang ating tinugon doon ay nagbigay na tayo ng 11,000 FFPs sa munisipyo ng Mariveles at Limay kung saan nangyari ang oil spill– sa ground zero,” Director Rebuldela said.
This provision of support, according to the FO-3 regional director, is in line with Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s earlier directive to ensure that all LGU requests for family food packs (FFPs) should be swiftly released by the agency’s disaster response hubs.
Aside from the FFPs, the Central Luzon FO is also discussing with Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Sandejas Garcia III to explore other interventions the agency can provide to fisherfolk whose livelihood were compromised by the oil spill.
The Cash-for-work (CFW) Program is an option, being the agency’s initiative aimed at providing employment opportunities to individuals and families in need, according to Director Rebuldela.
“We are in coordination sa ating provincial government. Ang discussion namin kay Gov. Joet ay pwede silang mag-request ng cash for work,” Director Rebuldela pointed out.
The FO 3 regional director, noted, however, that the implementation of CFW remains optional while awaiting the reply of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which is the lead agency in the provision of livelihood assistance.
“Pero ang usapan po ay mauuna ang DOLE na mag-provide ng livelihood assistance then kung kailangan pa, nandito naman ang ating departamento para sumuporta sa kanila,” Director Rebuldela said. #
