Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo today said during a media interview that all agencies of the government as well as the private sector are closely working together to bring immediate assistance to families affected by the on-going armed conflict in Marawi City.
Sec. Taguiwalo said, “Hindi lang DSWD ang tumutulong – kasama mga iba’t-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor na nagbabayanihan para agad na makarating ang mga kailangang tulong para sa mga kababayan nating apektado ng armadong tunggalian. Tuloy-tuloy din ang distribusyon ng relief goods at family food packs sa mga pamilyang nasa loob ng evacuation centers at silang mga nanunuluyan sa mga kamag-anak sa labas ng Marawi. (DSWD is actively working with all other government agencies and the private sector to so we can all immediately deliver the needed assistance to families affected by the armed conflict. The distribution of relief goods and family food packs to families in the evacuation centers and those who are now seeking shelter with relatives also continues).”
“Mahalaga ang magpalista ang ating mga kababayang evacuees o IDP sa mga lokal na pamahalaan (LGUs) para mas madali silang mamonitor at mabigyan ng tulong (We urge evacuees or IDPS s from the Marawi conflict to register with local DSWD offices or with LGUs to facilitate speedy monitoring and provision of assistance), “ explained Sec. Taguiwalo.
“Napakahalaga din ng koordinasyon ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na may ibat-ibang ginagampanan na papel. Kami sa DSWD ay nakatuon sa camp management, food and non-food items at recovery, samantalang ang ibang ahensya katulad ng Department of Health ay nakafocus naman sa usaping pangkalusugan (The coordination of various government agencies with different roles to play is also very important. We at DSWD are focused on camp management, food and non-food items and recovery, while other agencies, such as DOH is focused on health-related concerns),” Sec. Taguiwalo added.
She also thanked the private sector, like Cebu Pacific which provided free cargo space for relief supplies and Sogo Hotel which donated blankets and hygiene kits for the evacuees.
Likewise, she encouraged the public to call the attention of the government when there are lapses in the relief operations.
“Kung may kakulangan kami ay ipaalam ninyo sa amin, paabutin ninyo sa amin ang inyung mga puna at mungkahi (Please inform us if we have shortcomings. Relay to us your comments and suggestions),” she stated.
As of June 19, 3pm, 69,296 families or 338,536 persons have been displaced by the armed conflict in Marawi. Of this number, 63,938 families or 311,746 persons were from 95 barangays in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; while 5,358 families or 26,790 persons were from 13 barangays in the Municipality of Marantao, Lanao del Sur .
Around 83 evacuation centers set-up by LGUs in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental in Region X, and Lanao del Sur in ARMM are currently serving 3,747 families or 17,724 persons.
To date, DSWD has provided P74,330,794 worth of food and non-food items, such as family food packs, high energy biscuits, infant dry cereal, dignity and hygiene kits, malongs, blankets, mosquito nets, plastic mats, laminated sacks, bottled water, sets of kitchen utensils, and family tents. ###
