The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said it has been providing recreational activities for children displaced by recent typhoons and currently staying in evacuation centers with their families.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group said the psychosocial well-being of children remains a top priority, emphasizing that they are among the most vulnerable during disasters.

Dumlao said DSWD Field Office–CALABARZON began conducting organized play sessions on Monday, 10 November, at the municipal gymnasium in Mauban, Quezon — one of the designated evacuation centers following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan.

“Tinitiyak ng DSWD na may pagkakataon ang mga bata na maglaro, makipag-salamuha sa kapwa nila, at maipahayag ang kanilang nararamdaman. Kasing halaga ito ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng pagkain at ligtas na matutuluyan sa ganitong panahon,” Dumlao said.

Children participated in games, art activities, and storytelling sessions to help create a safe and comforting environment despite ongoing uncertainty.

Dumlao stressed that evacuation centers must always include spaces that are child- and women-friendly.
“Ginagawa natin ang mga recreational activities, storytelling sessions, at iba pang programa upang matulungan ang mga bata sa kanilang psychosocial well-being. Ayaw nating may maramdaman silang takot at pangamba habang nasa loob ng evacuation centers,” she added.

As Vice Chair of the National Disaster Response Cluster, the DSWD coordinates with local government units and partner agencies to ensure the timely delivery of relief assistance. The department also leads Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), which oversees the operations of evacuation centers.

“Bilang lead ng CCCM, tiniyak namin na lahat ng bata at pamilya sa evacuation centers ay may sapat na pagkain, ligtas na tirahan, at pagkakataon na maipahayag ang kanilang nararamdaman. Bahagi ito ng holistic na tulong ng DSWD sa mga pinaka-bulnerable sa panahon ng sakuna,” Dumlao said.