Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has assured the public that the agency remains fully capable of assisting residents affected by the series of earthquakes that recently struck different parts of the country.
In an interview on Sunday, October 12, Gatchalian emphasized that the DSWD can immediately deploy aid because it has been preparing long before these disasters occurred.
“Marami rin kaming nakukuhang tanong, kung kaya pa ng DSWD dahil sabay-sabay na nangyayari… Kayang-kaya, because ang ating Pangulo, all year-long ang preparation natin. Hindi naman ‘pag nagkakaroon lang ng disaster. For 365 days a year literally, nagrerepack tayo ng goods. And before this incident happened, we’re at close around 2.5 million family food packs nationwide,” he said.
He added that even with simultaneous responses in multiple provinces, regional offices can handle the demand efficiently.
“So kahit na may respondent tayo sa Cebu, may respondent tayo sa Masbate, Romblon, Mindoro, kayang-kaya ng mga regional offices natin to cope. And as we speak, nagrerepack pa rin tayo ngayon. Our repacking centers in Cebu and in Manila can produce close to 50,000 a day, so madaling-madali sa atin to meet the requirements,” Gatchalian explained.
The DSWD chief also noted that the agency is ready to launch its emergency cash transfer program, which the President has repeatedly highlighted as crucial in helping families rebuild their homes.
“Nag-usap na rin kami ni Gov, na para maka-rebuilt agad ng mga tao, hinihintay na lang namin ‘yong list ng mga totally at partially damaged. Puwede na rin tayo magsimula kaagad ng emergency cash transfer,” he said.
“Sinasabi ng Pangulo lagi, importante na ma-restore ‘yong normal na pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan natin, and importante ‘yong financial assistance na magsimula agad, para maka-rebuilt sila lalong-lalo na ‘yong mga may partially damaged na mga tahanan lamang, ‘yong kaunting kumpuni lang, e makakabalik sila kaagad,” he added.
Gatchalian also emphasized the importance of helping displaced families return home as soon as possible.
“Alam natin na bagama’t ginagawa ng Red Cross at DSWD na gawing mas komportable pa ‘yong mga tent cities o evacuation centers natin, iba pa rin ‘yong nakakauwi sila sa kanilang mga tahanan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon discussed measures to ensure a sufficient supply of potable water in affected areas.
“Unang-una, DSWD magpapadala talaga ‘yan ng mga mobile water trucks, para sa mga, for immediate provision of water. Alam ko magpapadala rin ang MMDA, kamukha noong mga inutos ng Pangulo in the previous disasters ng mga water-purifying systems,” Dizon said.
He added that coordination with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is already underway to repair damaged pipelines that disrupted water supply.
“But kanina, pinasa ko ‘yong telepono kay Mayor, kausap niya si [Local Water Utilities Administration] LWUA Administrator Joy Salonga, at inutusan na ni Admin Joy ‘yong water district to immediately assess and repair ‘yong mga gumalaw na mga water pipes, which is causing the intermittent supply, so ginagawa na rin ngayon right now,” he added.
It can be recalled that the DSWD earlier sent nearly 2,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) to residents affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu on September 30.
With nationwide coordination, non-stop repacking, and prepositioned relief goods, the DSWD assures that no community will be left behind in the government’s ongoing disaster response efforts.