On 17 March 2020, the Department of Social Welfare Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) has activated its Quick Response Teams (QRT) including those in its Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Offices in the various provinces in the Region.

“This action is to intensify our efforts in response to the effects of COVID-19 in our communities here in the Cordilleras”, OIC-Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said.

Quintilla highlighted that this move is a proactive measure to ensure that the DSWD will be able to provide augmentation support once needed. He also said that the activation of the teams is expected to help in facilitating the operations of various offices in the region and in the provinces.

“We are doing our best to be as responsive as possible. We are in close coordination with our partners and other line agencies. Our personnel in the SWAD Offices are also actively participating in different measures implemented by our local government unit”, Director Quintilla added.

Under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, all local government units are mandated to provide basic social services to various sectors in the communities. RA 7160 also states that the local government shall provide programs and projects including but not limited to evacuees and relief operations.

“The DSWD is ready to provide augmentation to our local government units in need of additional food packs and non-food items for relief operations but we highly encourage our local officials to fully utilize their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) and Quick Response (QR) funds. We will provide assistance to them upon the submission of request from the respective LGUs”, Director Quintilla added.

DSWD QRTs will be on duty from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Field Office and SWAD Offices in the provinces.

Meanwhile, individuals in need of assistance are highly encouraged to coordinate with their local government officials. Concerns for DSWD FO CAR can be sent through (+6374) 661-04-30, +63917 871 9893 or +63919 065 5365 to 68, e-mail address focar@dswd.gov.ph or through our Facebook account at www.facebook.com/dswdfocar or Twitter account @dswdfocar.  # DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva