The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with local government units (LGUs), is looking for other ways to distribute food packs and hygiene kits, as well as to deliver its other programs and services while ensuring that the distribution process observes the enhanced community quarantine regulations for COVID-19. 

In keeping with quarantine rules, DSWD is coordinating with all local government units (LGUs) for proper identification of the distribution area per barangay in each municipality.  LGUs, particularly the barangay officials, are the ones most knowledgeable on the total number of households, the number of family members and their health status, as well as the best approach to reach their residents without violating quarantine rules and other pertinent information on the ground.

At present, each household in the barangay is issued a one-member pass to enable the designated family member (one only per household) to go to market, grocery, drug store, and to the designated area of distribution of relief supplies.

DSWD requires the barangay officials to publish or announce in advance the intended areas, time, and date of distribution which must be clear to all households. This will ensure that everyone is served, with one member per household represented, as part of proper social distancing during the distribution.  However, the LGUs and the barangay officials may opt for a house to house delivery system or adopt whatever method they think is safer for their employees and the intended recipients in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their respective communities.

The Department, through its Field Office in the National Capital Region, has conducted initial simultaneous Family Food Pack distribution on March 20 in Quezon City (3,200), Malabon (1,000), and Valenzuela (1,700).

On March 21, DSWD-NCR delivered relief supplies to Manila (2,200), Navotas (1,700), Muntinlupa (1,600), and Pateros (1,100). Relief distribution will continue until all LGUs have been served.

Meanwhile, DSWD Field Offices around the country have also started the distribution of Family Food Packs to the municipalities and cities within their jurisdiction. DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has provided FFPs to the LGU of Baguio City,DSWD-FO XI delivered supplies to Davao City and Davao Oriental LGUs, while DSWD-FO V sent goods to Camalig, Albay and Irosin, Sorgsogon.

The Field Offices are also in the process of repacking goods in order to maintain their stockpiles. They are also intensifying their coordination and cooperation with their respective LGUs to ensure that relief supplies will reach the intended recipients including Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) who cannot leave their homes.

DSWD also reiterated that it continues its programs and services that are not in violation of the enhanced community quarantine nationwide rules.

These are: 

1.Payouts of cash grants to 4Ps beneficiaries with cash cards;

2.Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) such as urgent medical and burial assistance;

3.Payouts for Social Pension (SocPen) for Indigent Senior Citizens;

4.Financial assistance for victims of fire;

5.Distribution of food and non – food items;

6.Operations of DSWD Centers and Residential Care Facilities within the context of social distancing; and

7.Social Welfare Attaches in various diplomatic posts to cater to the welfare of distressed Overseas Filipinos.

DSWD remains steadfast in its commitment  to serve the Filipino people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. ###