DSWD-7 Extended Help to Affected LGUs

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 has extended help to the local government units (LGUs) affected by Typhoon Seniang.

As of yesterday, DSWD has provided 1,000 food packs each to LGU Alcantara and LGU Dumanjug and 1,917 food packs to LGU Barili.
“For Ronda, we are still waiting for their request and we are expecting it today (January 5). We have reached out Ronda since December 29 and we have sent people there,” said Shalaine Marie Lucero, DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations.

Lucero emphasized that after the devolution in 1992, LGUs have been tasked to serve as frontliners in emergency situation but DSWD will still provide technical assistance and augmentation

She said the implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991, also known as the Local Government Code prompted the national government to redirect the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s functions and operations.

In 1988, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada issued Executive Order No. 15 “Redirecting the Functions and Operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development” to strengthen the DSWD’s repositioning efforts that began soon after the implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991.

In 2003, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 221 amending Executive Order No. 15 which defined the Department’s mandate which is to provide assistance to local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), other national government agencies (NGAs), people’s organizations (POs) and members of civil society in effectively implementing programs, projects, and services that will alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families and communities for an improved quality of life as well as implement statutory and specialized programs which are directly lodged with the Department and/or not yet devolved to LGUs.

Chapter I, Section 17 of the Local Government Code stipulates that on basic services and facilities, the local government units (LGUs) shall endeavor to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units shall likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate, or incidental to efficient and effective provisions of the basic services and facilities enumerated herein.

The law also stipulates that devolved social welfare services include programs and projects on child and youth welfare, family and community welfare, women’s welfare, welfare of the elderly and disabled persons; community-based rehabilitation programs for vagrants, beggars, street children, scavengers, juvenile delinquents, and victims of drug abuse; livelihood and other pro-poor projects; nutrition services; and family planning services;

According to RA 7160, one of the duties of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer is to be in the frontline or service delivery, particularly those which have to do with immediate relief during and assistance in the aftermath of man-made and natural disaster and natural calamities.

Republic Act No. 101211 otherwise known as Philippines disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010provides that LDRRMO roles include the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated LDRRM Plan, prepare and submit to the local sanggunian through the LDRRMC and the LDC the annual LDRRMO Plan and budget, and respond to and manage the adverse effects of the emergencies and carry out recovery activities in the affected area, ensuring that there is an efficient mechanism for immediate delivery of food, shelter and medical supplies for women and children, endeavor to create a special place where internally-displaced mothers can find help with breastfeeding, feed and care for their babies and give support to each other.

The law also provides that not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) to support disaster risk management activities like pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post disaster activities and for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance.

Moreover, the law provides that of the amount appropriated for LDRRMF, thirty percent (30%) shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund (QRF) or standby fund for relief and recovery programs in order that situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible.

DSWD can also provide financial assistance to houses totally and partially damaged should the LGU request for it.

Lucero stressed that part of the many things DSWD has to ensure in the provision of such assistance is that it should come with the proper documents because the Commission on Audit (COA) will check where our money go.

“We would like to emphasize and further clarify that the request for family food packs comes with documents, because COA will look for those documents, and we would also like to underscore that the funds allocated to DSWD is spent well and this are properly documented,” Lucero also pointed out that DSWD can provide burial assistance to the victims up to P10,000.

“We will assess the situation so that the intervention we will provide is fit to the need of the family,” she further said.

She disclosed that when typhoon signal is raised SWAD Teams are immediately alerted and quick response team will be activated.

Lucero advised LGUs to request in advance if they feel that their supply will not be enough as this is part of the prepositioning initiative of the department.

As of January 5, 2015, DSWD-7 has 5,560 family food packs ready for distribution.

DSWD is also waiting for further reports from the field.

DSWD-7 regional director Mercedita P. Jabagat said the field office has standby fund and has enough stockpile of family food packs at any given time.

“We are ready to augment and distribute relief packs as soon as we receive request for augmentation from LGUs affected by calamities,” Jabagat added. (Leah T. Quintana, Regional Information Officer)