The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) calls on its offices to assist civilians caught in the armed conflict happening in Batangas City since September 24, 2017. The DSWD, through its Field Office in CALABARZON, has been gathering information and coordinating with the provincial local government unit  (LGU)  on efforts to help affected civilians.

Earlier reports state that due to aerial bombings and continued conflict in the area, around 137 families have already evacuated with  50 families from Brgy. Cumba, and 87 families from Brgy. Talahib Pandayan. This also resulted in the suspension of classes in at least 15 schools in the two barangays and nearby areas such as Brgy. Payapa, Sto. Domingo, Maruclap, Conde Itaas, Talumpok Proper, Talumpok Silangan at Kanluran, Haligue Silangan at Kanluran and Sto. Niño.  Reports from human rights group based in the area confirmed that there have been two casualties, including one minor.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Aleli Bawagan made sure that evacuees are provided assistance while they await their chance to return to their communities.

“Our CALABARZON Field Office has already visited evacuees and coordinated with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Batangas City to augment its relief operations. As of yesterday, our Field Office has already dispatched 500 pieces of malongs, and 113 family size plastic mats as an augmentation to the city. The CSWDO guaranteed that it has enough family food packs (FFPs) to provide for the needs of the evacuees,” Asec. Bawagan said.

“We call for the de-escalation of the conflict so that the families in the communities affected can return to their homes as soon as possible and resume their normal lives. These affected areas are farming communities, and their lives and livelihood disrupted by this unfortunate event. To pursue a just and lasting peace is a more viable option and will benefit the Filipino people. We support the call for the parties to return to the negotiating table to address the roots of the armed conflict, pursue a genuine land reform and national industrialization, which will make social justice and lasting peace a reality,” Asec. Bawagan said.###