DSWD conducts inventory of evacuation centers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 is currently conducting inventory of camps and evacuation centers that will serve as emergency centers or evacuation in towns and cities frequented with disasters.

The DSWD adopts the mandate to provide assistance to local government units, non-government organizations, other national government agencies, people’s organization and other members of civil society.

DSWD said that this is to ensure quick and efficient delivery of goods and services that will meet the demands of disaster risk-reduction standards.

In relation to immediate disaster response, DSWD 7 has built a bigger warehouse to store more goods and assures immediate assistance to local government units during disasters with the onset of the rainy seasons.

DSWD 7 Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat said in a statement that this bodega was established to enforce quicker, more organized and orchestrated and sustainable response for better service delivery.

Jabagat added that this is also to come-up with a responsive pooling and sharing of resources, establish efficient communication and information system and ensure enough stockpile at all levels.

Jabagat assured the public that DSWD’s Quick Response Team are prepared and equipped with tools to be able to give immediate assistance especially in relief distribution during calamities, both natural and man-made.

DSWD 7 has allotted P1 million standby fund for their disaster preparedness plan other than the 3,000 Family Packs (FP) in Cebu, 1,000 FP in Negros Oriental, 1,000 FP in Bohol and 500 FP in Siquijor.

Jabagat said that these FP comprising of food and non-food items are prepositioned which includes sleeping and cooking materials, toiletries, footwear and underclothing.

These goods, Jabagat further said, are release to the LGU’s as augmentation support, especially when local resources are limited if not exhausted. — (FREEMAN)