The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) maintains its coordination with local government units (LGUs) in managing the needs of displaced families in evacuation centers in Regions I, II, III, V and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“Social workers and volunteers are ensuring that all the needs of displaced families are immediately addressed. Aside from providing food, water, medicine and other basic necessities, we want to guarantee the safety of affected families while they are under our watch,” said DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo. “But apart from helping our kababayans secure relief goods, we also want our social workers to provide comfort and emotional support to them during these very difficult times. Our social workers are the frontliners of the DSWD, and while we do augmentation support for the LGUs, we also perform our duty to help ease the emotional and psychological burdens of those affected. We have to show compassion to our brothers and sisters and assure them that we will give what help is within our means to give,” she said.

State weather bureau PAGASA has already reported that Super Typhoon ‘Lawin’ slightly weakened while traversing Apayao Province. However, 5,773 families or 22,162 persons remain in 209 evacuation centers in the affected regions, while 2,218 families or 9,236 persons sought refuge with their relatives and friends, as of 3 pm today. To date, there are 18,277 families or 80,275 persons affected in 266 barangays in Regions CAR, I, II, III, and V.

Meanwhile, DSWD field offices in Regions I and II are now coordinating with other member agencies to conduct initial assessment on the needs of affected individuals and on the damages brought by Lawin.

The DSWD Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAMB) has also downloaded additional disaster operations fund to Regions I, II, III, and CAR amounting to P48,000,000.

Sec. Taguiwalo expressed her commendation to all LGUs and to the public as well for the efficient and effective implementation of disaster preparedness measures that has helped “our citizens cope with the impact of the super typhoon” . ###