Together with other members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo (3rd from left) attends the Response Cluster Meeting of the Cagayan Disaster Risk Reduction Council Meeting in Tuguegarao City to discuss the status of the affected areas as well as the ongoing disaster operations.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo today flew to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province to touch base with the local government units (LGUs) in the region and to determine the status of the relief and augmentation system in place between the national agency and the local units.

Secretary Taguiwalo is in the province along with DSWD Usec. Vilma Cabrera, and other members of the National Disaster Response National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) led by Executive Director Ricardo Jalad.

“We want to assure our local government officials that we are here for them, and more importantly, we are here for their constituents. We want our brothers and sisters in Cagayan to know that we are paying close attention to the situation they are facing and that we are ready to help. The DSWD will give what resources we have for the immediate relief of those affected, and then we will see what we can do as we embark on rehabilitation efforts,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“It is unfortunate that there have already been casualties, but it is somehow a comfort that the loss of life is not as high as it could have been had we not prepare against Typhoons Karen and Lawin. Our immediate goal is always zero casualty of life because we can never replace that. We can rebuild houses and other infrastructures, but a life lost can not be recovered. This is why it is important to always ensure that our early warning systems and evacuation protocols are in place and working,” she added.

Based on the Oct. 21 Dromic Report of the DSWD, 175 barangays of Region II were affected by Lawin. A total of 5,646 families with a total of 21,582 individuals are now needing assistance. #