This handout photo obtained on 17 November 2023 from the Facebook page of Shaira Ann Sandigan-Rodrigo shows a damaged ceiling at a shopping mall in General Santos City in South Cotabato after a strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook the southern Philippines. (Photo by Handout / Shaira Ann Sandigan-Rodrigo / AFP)
Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said on Saturday 18 November, that the agency will provide cash aid to families and individuals affected by the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit some parts of Mindanao on Friday 17 November.
In an interview during the weekly Saturday News Forum, Asec. Lopez said the DSWD is currently assessing the situation in the hard-hit regions, through its Regional Field Offices and other government agencies, to identify the needs of the affected individuals, including the families of those who were killed or injured.
"Para po sa ating kababayan na nasugatan, may mga nasawing kamag-anak, ang amin pong financial assistance ay kasama sa aming Quick Response Funds (QRF) na maaari nating agarang ibigay na tulong,(For our fellow Filipinos who have been injured, there are relatives who have died, we can immediately provide our financial assistance that is included in our Quick Response Funds.)," Asec. Romel Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said.
The DSWD spokesperson added: "Inaasahan din natin na kailangan ng assistance ay yung may damaged houses, sabihin na nating partially o totally damaged, yan naman po ang pinaghahandaan ng Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) natin at Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) natin. Yung AICS po namin ay separate ang funding nito. Kaya asahan nyo po na sapat pa naman ang pananalapi ng DSWD, we will assist yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan."
(We also expect that those in need of assistance are those with damaged houses, whether partially or totally damaged. That is what our Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) are prepared for. Our AICS funding is separate. Rest assured that the funds of the DSWD are sufficient. We will assist our fellow citizens in need.)
Aside from financial aid, the Asec. Lopez assured the affected families that the DSWD and its FOs will immediately distribute family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items such as hygiene kits, and sleeping kits, among others.
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"Yung mga family food packs, relief goods, umasa po kayo na makakarating po sa inyo yan. Yan po ay tatagal ng 2-3 days kung lima po kayo sa inyong tahanan at within 3 days ay asahan nyo po na mare-replenish ng DSWD," Asec. Lopez pointed out.
Currently, the DSWD maintains Php1.43 billion worth of food and non-food items readily available in the agency's disaster response teams nationwide; ₱29.16 million Quick Response Fund (QRF) at the DSWD Central Office; and ₱14.2 million available at DSWD FOs 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao), and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).
