Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo expressed appreciations for the collective efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to provide compassionate service to Super Typhoon ‘Lawin’ survivors in Cagayan Valley.

Based on the reports received by the Secretary from the DSWD-Field Office II, the Cagayan Valley Disaster Response Center (CVDRC) and Aguilang Pilipino teamed up with the DSWD to distribute Family Food Packs (FFPs) and other needed assistance to typhoon survivors in Barangays Abariongan Uneg and Calasitan, Sto. Nino, Cagayan.

Sec. Taguiwalo also noted that Abariongan Uneg and Calasitan are both located in far-flung areas in Region II and are homes to the Aggays, indigenous peoples residing in Cagayan Valley who were also devastated by the typhoon. The Aggays were given FFPs in plastic bags for easier transport to their communities.

“We are grateful that CSOs and NGOs are in solidarity with the DSWD in extending compassionate service and assistance to our kababayans affected by the typhoon. This is a proof that the collective action between the government and private institutions plays a valuable role to address the fundamental issues of our country,”  Sec. Taguiwalo said.

Sec. Taguiwalo also reminded the public to continue reporting to DSWD and to other concerned government agencies instances where affected communities still have not received any form of assistance from the government, a month after typhoon Lawin hit Luzon.

She added that the people are essential partners in ensuring that adequate and timely services are delivered to those in need.

Update on ‘Lawin’ relief ops

Meanwhile, the DSWD FO-II recently started the distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to ‘Lawin’ victims in Isabela after finishing their assessment and validation on the total number of partially and totally damaged houses in the province.

Over the weekend,  DSWD Field Office II Director Ponciana Condoy assisted by Assistant Director for Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DReAMB) Carlos Padolina and several staff from the DSWD FO-II also held a dialogue with ‘Lawin’ survivors at St. Joseph the Worker in Baggao, Cagayan to address their complaints and grievances on the response delivered by the local government and the FO, including the implementation of the ESA in the area.

Sec. Taguiwalo assured the public that the operations for ‘Lawin’ will continue since 1,031 families or 3,670 persons are still taking shelter in 18 evacuation centers in Region III.

To date, a total of P130,474,442.22 worth of relief assistance from the combined resources of the DSWD with P120,960,265.62; LGUs with P8,989,080.10, and NGOs with P525,096.50, has been provided to affected families.

Moreover, the DSWD-DReAMB will also provide assistance to field offices that are in need of augmentation and technical support. ###