Oil spill-affected families revive hope
The DSWD provided food packs to more than 29,300 residents in six waves of relief distribution to sustain their food supply while their economic activities were limited and restricted
Daily TribuneThe DSWD provided food packs to more than 29,300 residents in six waves of relief distribution to sustain their food supply while their economic activities were limited and restricted
A year after an oil spill struck the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Palawan in February 2023, affected residents are now returning to their normal lives through the continuous support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
According to Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez, the agency — in coordination with the concerned local government units and other key agencies — responded to the human-induced disaster with various initiatives aimed at providing immediate relief and long-term recovery to mitigate the impacts of the oil spill on fisherfolk and their communities.
"The DSWD Field Office-MIMAROPA played an important role in coordinating and harmonizing humanitarian activities to address the diverse challenges posed by the oil spill on the environment, livelihood, and overall well-being of the residents," Lopez said.
He added that the DSWD has aligned its response with the human capital investment core programs such as the provision of family food packs, Cash-for-Work, Emergency Cash Transfer, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and Sustainable Livelihood Program.
As part of its rapid response, the DSWD provided food packs to more than 29,300 residents in six waves of relief distribution to sustain their food supply while their economic activities were limited and restricted.
"The seventh and eighth waves of FFP distribution were facilitated by the respective provincial governments," said Lopez, adding that residents from the municipalities of Oriental Mindoro and Palawan placed under the State of Calamity were provided with ECT, as an adaptive strategy to bridge the gap between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response and early recovery.
More than 17,000 affected fisherfolk, who own motorized and non-motorized boats, were given emergency cash assistance to help them meet their daily needs, amounting to over P187.3 million.
Considered in difficult circumstances, fisherfolk and residents from the affected areas were also provided with different services through the DSWD's AICS offering tailored support as more than P74.4 million in humanitarian aid were given to oil spill-affected individuals under the AICS program.
