The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced Tuesday that it is ready to assist residents of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan province who may be directly affected by the ongoing conflict between some elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed Field Office 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula to be on alert for the possible augmentation of family food packs (FFPs) and other non-food items (NFIs) that may be needed by residents displaced by the conflict.

“Tell the mayor of Tipo-Tipo and the governor of Basilan that the DSWD is ready to help them in case there are internally displaced persons. Keep me updated,” Secretary Gatchalian texted Regional Director Riduan Hadjimuddin of Field Office 9, which has jurisdiction over Basilan province.

Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) reported to Secretary Gatchalian that the 14 social workers and project development officers of the PDG are safe in Isabela, Basilan amid the ongoing clashes between MILF and government forces in Tipo-Tipo, which started Monday evening (October 27).

“Our workers are preparing for cash-for-work (CFW) implementation with a batch of former MILF rebels in Basilan when the armed conflict erupted,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

The amount of P277 million set for the CFW was originally intended for the decommissioning of former combatants that was called off by top leaders of the MILF last month, according to Undersecretary Tanjusay.

All classes and government work have been canceled by the local government unit (LGU) of Tipo-Tipo on Tuesday (October 28) due to the conflict.