MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed financial assistance to families and individuals affected by the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that hit Davao de Oro on Feb. 1.
In a news release on Tuesday, the DSWD said Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the Municipal Dome of Monkayo and the Compostela Municipal Gym to lead the cash aid distribution for 1,110 quake victims on Feb. 20.
A total of 490 victims from Monkayo and 620 from Compostela received PHP3,000 each under the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
In his speech, Gatchalian assured the victims that the DSWD would continue to coordinate with their local government units (LGUs) to guarantee the fast delivery of DSWD services.
“We assure you that every time that you need assistance, the DSWD will come to you, and not the other way around. As far as we can, we will continue to coordinate with your local officials so that we are aware of your needs,” he said.
The DSWD, he added, would also visit other affected towns.
After the payout activities, Gatchalian inspected the new evacuation center in Barangay Poblacion, Compostela, which has already served 3,112 households since its turnover on Nov. 10 last year under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).
He took advantage of the opportunity to meet with local officials in Davao de Oro to discuss possible areas of collaboration to improve the delivery of social welfare programs and services to their respective constituents.
Gatchalian also visited the new DSWD satellite office building at the Davao de Oro Capitol grounds in Cabidianan, Nabunturan.
He also inspected the Angels’ Haven Center and Home for the Aged that provide counseling, home-life care services, medical care, and other interventions to children with special needs, and abandoned, neglected, and unattached older persons, respectively.
Gatchalian is expected to visit other DSWD-managed Centers and Residential Care Facilities in the coming weeks to check the condition of residents and ensure the sufficiency of personnel and resources. (PNA)
