Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo explained its partnership with local government units (LGUs) in providing response in times of calamities.

She said that while the DSWD provides the needed basic services of disaster-affected families through the prepositioning of family food packs and standby funds, LGUs are the first responders in the occurrence of natural and man-made calamities, based on Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

“We would like to clarify the different roles of the national and local government agencies in times of disasters, so that the public will know the accountability and responsibility of the different offices,” Sec. Taguiwalo stressed.

Aside from RA10121,  RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 also stipulates that LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers at the first instance of disaster occurrence.

The Local Government Code also devolved the basic services and programs of national government along disaster operations to a self-reliant local government. These include programs for evacuees and the conduct of disaster relief operations.

“The DSWD, in turn, is mandated to provide augmentation support to the LGUs and assist in capacitating them to handle emergencies or calamities,” the Secretary further said.

Sec. Taguiwalo expounded that DSWD augmentations are based on the  requests of LGUs and the corresponding assessment of Field Offices. The Department continues to provide assistance so long as there are needs.

Although DSWD is not considered the first direct responders, the Department is always ready to provide immediate assistance to the LGUs.

“In fact, even before a disaster strikes, family food packs, other food and non-food items are already prepositioned in the different regional offices as well as in strategic LGUs to ensure that the affected families, even in far-flung areas have access to the most basic needs,” Sec. Taguiwalo continued.

In terms of camp management,  the LGUs directly manage the evacuation centers, while the DSWD monitors and  ensures that the temporary shelters operate based on the approved guidelines.

Sec. Taguiwalo added, “The Department ensures the promotion and protection of the rights of the internally-displaced families (IDPs), and that they are free from abuse, especially those staying in evacuation centers.”

Further, Sec. Taguiwalo pointed out,  “DSWD also has a greater task at hand before and after the occurrence of a disaster. As Vice-Chair of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), DSWD takes on the role of capacitating the LGUs along disaster mitigation and response.”

Part of this task is the provision of needed training to the LGUs to capacitate them as first responders.  DSWD, along with other NDRRMC member- agencies, also conducts pre-disaster assessment risks especially for initially identified hazardous areas.

“The Department works heavily in the post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation phase.   With the resources of the LGUs usually depleted during the disaster response phase, the national government leads in providing programs and services aimed at helping the affected communities/families recover from the disaster,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

“With the LGU’s proximity to the communities, their role in disaster operations is significant. Their readiness in evacuation, rescue activities and disaster relief operations will make a difference in saving lives and ensuring that the needs of their constituents will be immediately responded to,” Sec. Taguiwalo further stressed.

Despite the different roles and responsibilities, the Secretary emphasized that all sectors, government in all levels as well as civil society organizations, must work together in providing a truly compassionate service to victims of disasters to ensure that they can bounce back and eventually lead normal lives again.  ###