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Advocates Philippines
Government Considers Financial Assistance For Evacuees In Albay, Says DSWD Secretary
Photo credit: PCO
Malacañang, Albay - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced on Tuesday that the government is contemplating providing financial assistance to the thousands of families currently residing in evacuation centers in Albay. These families were relocated from their homes due to the potential hazardous eruption of Mayon Volcano.
During a press briefing, Gatchalian said that the government is considering the distribution of cash aid to supplement the family food packs already provided by local and national authorities to the affected families in the province.
"While we understand that the food packs may not cover all their needs inside the evacuation centers, as they are typically standard, we are in discussions with the local government, as instructed by the President, to explore the possibility of providing financial assistance to support them," explained the DSWD chief.
Gatchalian emphasized that ongoing discussions with Governor Grex Lagman and Albay's congressional representatives are focused on determining the amount and method of distributing the cash assistance.
"We are in constant communication with Governor Grex Lagman and the congressional representatives of Albay to gather diverse inputs on how we can further assist," Gatchalian added.
Taking a whole-of-government approach, Gatchalian highlighted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is actively monitoring the situation on the ground to ensure that the evacuees have sufficient food provisions. "The President is closely monitoring the situation. Since last week, we have been in constant communication, receiving his directives to ensure that all evacuees have food," he stated.
Gatchalian acknowledged that the responsibility for managing evacuation centers lies with the local government units (LGUs). However, he stressed that the DSWD, following the President's instructions, will provide the necessary logistical support to the LGUs.
Last Saturday, the DSWD chief met with Governor Lagman and representatives from the nine affected LGUs, including the City of Legazpi, to discuss the distribution of family food packs.
"Our agreement was to provide the first five waves of food packs, with each wave lasting three days. Initially, we targeted 8,000 families, which means around 38,000 food packs were distributed by various LGUs, including the provincial government," Gatchalian revealed.
He further explained the coordinated effort between the DSWD and LGUs, stating, "We aim to complement each other's resources instead of duplicating efforts. After the initial six days, which covers 21 days, the DSWD will step in with another fifteen days of assistance. This process will continue in waves for approximately forty-five days, which historically represents the minimum duration of volcanic eruptions."
Gatchalian assured that they will convene with the LGUs again to plan the arrangement for food provision in the coming days.
"In summary, all the evacuated local government units managing the evacuation centers already have the next 15 days' worth of food supply under their control. After that, the provincial government will take over," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa mentioned that they have dispatched a team to the overcrowded evacuation areas to address sanitation concerns.
"When the population increases, proper sanitation facilities become crucial. Our Department of Health has sent a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) team, along with the Health Emergency Management Bureau and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office," stated the DOH chief.
"I will send another team to augment their efforts, similar to the alternating waves approach. It seems like this will be a long-term operation, as I was informed that it might take around 90 days," he added.
Gatchalian also disclosed that he had discussions with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to deploy personnel from the Office of Civil Defense to address the issue of potable water in the area.
"Earlier, I spoke with Secretary (Benhur) Abalos. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also send their personnel. I would also like to express my gratitude to Secretary Abalos for facilitating assistance from the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates. Secretary Abalos coordinated with his counterpart, who happens to be a member of the Royal Family, resulting in the arrival of 50 tons of various food items within just 24 hours," Gatchalian expressed his appreciation.
During a press briefing, Gatchalian said that the government is considering the distribution of cash aid to supplement the family food packs already provided by local and national authorities to the affected families in the province.
"While we understand that the food packs may not cover all their needs inside the evacuation centers, as they are typically standard, we are in discussions with the local government, as instructed by the President, to explore the possibility of providing financial assistance to support them," explained the DSWD chief.
Gatchalian emphasized that ongoing discussions with Governor Grex Lagman and Albay's congressional representatives are focused on determining the amount and method of distributing the cash assistance.
"We are in constant communication with Governor Grex Lagman and the congressional representatives of Albay to gather diverse inputs on how we can further assist," Gatchalian added.
Taking a whole-of-government approach, Gatchalian highlighted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is actively monitoring the situation on the ground to ensure that the evacuees have sufficient food provisions. "The President is closely monitoring the situation. Since last week, we have been in constant communication, receiving his directives to ensure that all evacuees have food," he stated.
Gatchalian acknowledged that the responsibility for managing evacuation centers lies with the local government units (LGUs). However, he stressed that the DSWD, following the President's instructions, will provide the necessary logistical support to the LGUs.
Last Saturday, the DSWD chief met with Governor Lagman and representatives from the nine affected LGUs, including the City of Legazpi, to discuss the distribution of family food packs.
"Our agreement was to provide the first five waves of food packs, with each wave lasting three days. Initially, we targeted 8,000 families, which means around 38,000 food packs were distributed by various LGUs, including the provincial government," Gatchalian revealed.
He further explained the coordinated effort between the DSWD and LGUs, stating, "We aim to complement each other's resources instead of duplicating efforts. After the initial six days, which covers 21 days, the DSWD will step in with another fifteen days of assistance. This process will continue in waves for approximately forty-five days, which historically represents the minimum duration of volcanic eruptions."
Gatchalian assured that they will convene with the LGUs again to plan the arrangement for food provision in the coming days.
"In summary, all the evacuated local government units managing the evacuation centers already have the next 15 days' worth of food supply under their control. After that, the provincial government will take over," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa mentioned that they have dispatched a team to the overcrowded evacuation areas to address sanitation concerns.
"When the population increases, proper sanitation facilities become crucial. Our Department of Health has sent a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) team, along with the Health Emergency Management Bureau and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office," stated the DOH chief.
"I will send another team to augment their efforts, similar to the alternating waves approach. It seems like this will be a long-term operation, as I was informed that it might take around 90 days," he added.
Gatchalian also disclosed that he had discussions with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to deploy personnel from the Office of Civil Defense to address the issue of potable water in the area.
"Earlier, I spoke with Secretary (Benhur) Abalos. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also send their personnel. I would also like to express my gratitude to Secretary Abalos for facilitating assistance from the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates. Secretary Abalos coordinated with his counterpart, who happens to be a member of the Royal Family, resulting in the arrival of 50 tons of various food items within just 24 hours," Gatchalian expressed his appreciation.
Jun 13, 2023
