DSWD TO EXTEND ADDITIONAL AID TO BATAAN COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY OIL SPILL

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — In response to the severe impact of the oil spill on Bataan communities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office (FO)-3 (Central Luzon) is prepared to offer further assistance if needed, the agency said Friday (30 Aug 2024).

During the agency’s media forum on Thursday (29 August 2024), DSWD FO-3 Regional Director Venus Rebuldela informed reporters that the office is closely coordinating with local government units (LGUs) regarding the ongoing oil spill cleanup operations.

“Currently, our Department, through the Regional Development Council (RDC), is actively monitoring the oil spill situation,” Rebuldela said at the media forum held at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.

She reported that FO-3 has already distributed 11,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) to the most affected municipalities.

“At DSWD, we have already provided 11,000 FFPs to the municipalities of Mariveles and Limay, where the oil spill occurred—at ground zero,” Rebuldela disclosed.

The regional director noted that this support aligns with DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s earlier directive to ensure the agency’s disaster response hubs promptly address all LGU requests for FFPs.

ia/mnm