The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is assisting local government units (LGUs) of Basilan that have been affected by the on-going clashes between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf (ASG).

The clash between military troops and the ASG occurred on July 2 and 6 in the hinterlands of Albarka, Ungkayapukan and Tipo-Tipo in Basilan.  The government has sent more troops to the area.

As of September 5, some 1,729 family heads with 6,218 dependents from the municipalities of Sumisip, Tuburan, Moh Ajul and Akbar have evacuated to safer areas and are staying with friends and relatives. These evacuees are being provided with food and non-food assistance by the concerned LGUs.

Since the fighting erupted, the LGU of Basilan has distributed a total of 2,311 family food packs to the internally displaced persons, while DSWD-Field Office (FO) IX has delivered 6,000 family food packs to the province.

The Field Office has also earmarked some 5,000 family food packs for Sulu. Repacking of additional food packs is being done to ensure availability of relief supplies.

The Field Office is maintaining 25,000 food packs at any given time to ensure preparedness, while the Sulu and Basilan encounters are being pursued by the government.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang ating ginagawang koordinasyon  sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na apekatado ng kasalukuyang armed conflict upang agad ding matulungan ang mga pamilyang lumikas sa mas ligtas na lugar (We continuously coordinate with LGUs affected by the ongoing armed conflict so they can also immediately help the families who evacuated to safer places),” stated DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

“We also want to ensure the safety and security of the civilians forced to evacuate by monitoring their situation and helping them make their needs known to other government agencies that also have a responsibility to assist them. Civilians are always the ones who suffer because of military operations and civil war, and we must do all that we can to mitigate the impact of armed strife on the innocent and non-combatants,” she added.

The Secretary also gave her full support to President Duterte’s aim to stop acts of banditry and terrorism that would eventually lead to peace and development in Mindanao. ###