Police, volunteers, social workers and ordinary citizens imbibe the Bayanihan spirit as they cross a river to deliver relief resources to far-flung communities affected by Typhoon ‘Lawin.’

In continuation of the relief operations in ‘Lawin’-affected communities, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said today that DSWD disaster response teams are set to hold meetings and debriefings in ‘Lawin’-hit areas with local government units (LGUs) to fast-track the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged shelters, speed up relief operations, and identify ways to reach isolated areas especially in the Kalinga-Apayao area.

“Madami po tayong nakuhang request for assistance mula sa ating mga kababayan para sa Kalinga. Huwag pong mag-alala at inaasikaso po ito ng DSWD katuwang ang ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan. Nahirapan po tayong makapunta doon agad dahil sa sama ng panahon at kawalan ng komunikasyon. Pero nakaabot na rin ( We have received several requests for assistance from Kalinga.  We assure you that DSWD and concerned agencies are now looking into ways to deliver relief supplies.  Inclement weather and lack of communication have hampered our relief operations in the area, but we will try our best),” Sec. Taguiwalo posted on her Facebook account today.

As of 6 am today, only 1,462 families or 5,581 persons are staying in 66 evacuation centers set up and maintained by LGUs.

“This is good news that families have started to return to their places of origin. They can begin to reconstruct using the initial cash assistance that the DSWD is providing under the Emergency Shelter Assistance,” Sec. Taguiwalo continued.

To date, a total of P33,849,398.67 worth of relief assistance has been provided to the affected families. Of the said amount, the Department provided P27,826,540.57; respective LGUs provided a total of P6,017,858.10; while some NGOs provided a total of P5,000.00.

Over the weekend,  Sec. Taguiwalo joined President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Ilocos Norte to monitor the situation and assess the extent of the damages brought by the  typhoon.

The President held a meeting with concerned LGUs to discuss measures for the immediate rehabilitation and recovery of the affected areas and how to efficiently improve emergency relief services.

“Nagtutulungan ang mga LGU, members ng private sector, ang taumbayan at ang pambansang gobyerno sa pamumuno ni Pres. Duterte para maibigay ang saklolong para sa ating mga kapatid na nasalanta sa pamamagitan ng transparent at walang bahid na katiwaliang proseso ng paghahatid ng tulong. Pagsisikapan pa po namin na paghusayin at linisin ang sistema ng relief assistance distribution (LGUs, members of private agencies, Filipino citizens, and the national government under the leadership of Pres. Duterte are working together to provide immediate assistance to our brothers and sisters affected by the typhoon through a more transparent process without corruption. We will continue to make improvements in the relief and assistance distribution),” the Secretary said. ###