Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here assures the public with its readiness to respond to the possible effects of El Niño phenomenon in the region.
“We, in the Department, recognize the urgency of responding not only to typhoon related disasters but also to other natural disasters like the El Niño phenomenon. We have already prepositioned our family food packs in our Social Welfare and Development Team Offices in the provinces to ensure that food will be available to our clients”, Regional Director Janet P. Armas shared.
Around 14,400 family food packs have been prepositioned in all provinces of the region which includes 2,000 in Abra, 5,000 in Mt. Province, 3,500 in Ifugao, 600 in Apayao and 3,300 in Kalinga. Additional 5,046 family packs stockpiled in the Field Office for possible augmentation to the needs of Benguet province and other provinces in the region.
A total of Php 7,230,552.00 has also been downloaded to the Field Office to cover expenses for the implementation of Cash for Work Program and provision of food assistance related to the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals and areas affected by El Niño.
“The Department is ready to accept proposals for Cash for Work from local government units affected by El Niño. Through Cash for Work, individuals affected by the phenomenon would have an alternative source of income while their farms or lands could not be tilled. We can also provide them family food packs. Our purpose is to temporarily respond to their needs”, Dir. Armas added.
As of 10 April 2016, the DSWD Central Office has released Php 384,642,494.13 to cover the worth of assistance for El Niño affected families nationwide through their respective local government units (LGUs). Assistance has been provided since May 2015.
DSWD, though part of the response cluster during disaster operations, is covered by the Local Government Code of 1991 which mandates the national government agency to provide resource augmentation to LGUs whenever necessary. Same document tells that LGUs should serve as the front liners in the provision of services to their constituents.
Individuals who are affected by El Niño phenomenon may report to their respective local social welfare and development offices for assessment and provision of necessary assistance. For other queries and concerns, the Department can be reached through (074) 442-39-46 or focar@dswd.gov.ph and look for Mr. Arnold Lartec. #DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva
