By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured Filipinos on Thursday, October 24, 2024, that the agency will continue providing relief assistance to ensure that no one goes hungry amid the devastating impact of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine.
“Sa ngalan ng DSWD, nais naming i-assure ang ating mga kakabayan na naapektuhan ng Bagyong Kristine na nakahanda ang aming Departamento na mag-supply ng mga family food packs (FFPs) nationwide sa ating mga local government units (LGUs) na siya namang magdi-distribute sa ating mga residente. Makakaasa po kayo tuluy-tuloy din po yan dahil yan ang instruction ng ating mahal na pangulo, na walang biktima ng kalamidad na ito ang magugutom,” Secretary Gatchalian told reporters during a press briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on the government’s response to STS Kristine, held at Malacañang.
The DSWD chief mentioned that around 100,000 boxes of FFPs are being transported to the Bicol Region as he spoke at the briefing.
He added that these supplies are in addition to approximately 120,000 FFPs available in the region for LGUs to request and withdraw for their relief operations.
“Tuloy tuloy ang withdrawals ng mga local government units, pero hindi tayo tumitigil diyan. Habang nagwi-withdraw sila, nagpapadala na tayo ng karagdagang another 100 thousand food packs sa Bicol. Enroute na yon ngayon. So hindi pa man nauubos ang family food packs sa region, dinadagdagan na ho natin siya,” the DSWD chief explained.
Gatchalian also noted that while the immediate priority is to provide relief assistance to severely affected communities, the Department is prepared to disburse financial aid to support their other needs and early recovery in the coming days.
“Kung tatanungin niyo kung may available funds, again, let me categorically say that the DSWD has available funds ready to mobilize financial assistance in the coming days. Hindi naman yan nauubos, that’s on top of our regular assistance funds at meron din kami yung sa disaster funds namin,” he pointed out.
“Pag bumaba na po ang tubig baha, ang mga cash relief at cash assistance ay magsisimula na sa mabilis na panahon,” the DSWD chief added.
The agency is also monitoring another low-pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) that may soon develop into a typhoon, according to Gatchalian.
“In fact, we are already keeping an eye on the second storm that is brewing sa eastern seaboard natin, and we know na marami pang darating sa November. So we are ready, we have the funds, we can mobilize,” the DSWD chief emphasized.
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