The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extends its warmest gratitude to groups, individuals, and public and private organizations who gave aid to families affected by armed conflict in Marawi City through the Department.

“Lubos ang ating pasasalamat sa mga grupo at indibidwal at kanilang pamilya na nagbibigay tulong sa ating mga kapatid na evacuees mula Marawi. Malayo po ang maaabot ng inyong mga ibinahaging tulong sa pagpapabuti ng kalagayan ng mga apektadong pamilya. Patuloy nating ipakita ang ating pagbabayanihan sa nakahahamong sitwasyong ito (We acknowledge and thank the different groups and individuals and their families for  helping our fellow citizens who evacuated from Marawi. The help you extended will go a long way towards improving the situation of the affected families. Let us continue to show our bayanihan spirit during these trying times),” said DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

The individuals,  organizations and institutions that coursed their in-kind donations through the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) include students from the University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila campuses, who donated canned goods, bottled mineral water, sacks of rice, medicines, and toiletry products; the Masonic District-National Capital Region (NCR), which provided canned goods, instant noodles, biscuits, infant milk, bottled mineral water, and some clothing; Sogo Hotel, which gave 3,000 pieces of blankets; and the Bureau of Customs, which donated 3,000 bags of 50 kgs. glutinous rice.

The DSWD is also acknowledging the assistance provided by the Mindanao Banana Farmers & Exporters Association, Inc. (MBFEA, Inc.), which donated more than a hundred cases of bottled mineral water to the Department’s Field Office (FO) in Region XI; and the Kabataan Party List – Cordillera, which brought sacks of rice, packs of coffee and milk, assorted canned goods, toiletry products, and  clothes  to DSWD-FO Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for delivery to Marawi crisis evacuees.

“We also want to thank Cebu Pacific Air for giving the DSWD 20 metric tons (MT) or 20,000 kilograms of cargo space fro free on its Manila-Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan) flights for our  relief goods.  Thank you for being our partner in delivering our relief goods to affected civilians in Marawi,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

Apart from those who provided in-kind donations, the Secretary also thanked individuals and groups who donated cash through the Department’s bank accounts. She also thanked those who gave donations, but chose to remain anonymous.

The donations will be flown to Cagayan de Oro via Cebu Pacific, together with the additional augmentation support from the DSWD.

Those who want to extend help to the affected families may still donate through the DSWD. For food and non-food items from the National Capital Region (NCR), send the donations to the DSWD NROC at Chapel Road, Pasay City, Metro Manila with telephone number (02) 511 1259. NROC is open Mondays to Fridays from 6AM to 6PM.

For interested donors from Mindanao, send the donations to the DSWD Field Office in Region X located at Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen 9000 Cagayan de Oro City with telephone numbers (88) 858-8134 and 858-6333 or at Field Office XII located at Poblacion, Koronadal City, South Cotabato with telephone number (083) 228 6080.

Meanwhile, foreign cash donations can be deposited to bank account number 3124-0055-81 with account name DSWD FOREIGN DONATION and swift code TLBPPHMMXXX. Peso cash donations, on the other hand, can be deposited to bank account number 3122-1011-84 with account name DSWD DONATION at Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch, Constitution Hills, Quezon City.

Donors should notify DSWD-Finance Management Service (FMS)/ Cash Division (CD) of their donation through phone or email. Kindly send the validated deposit slip together with your information (name, nationality, and address) to finance@dswd.gov.ph and cash@dswd.gov.ph or fax to 931-8127. ###