DSWD cancels Christmas party to focus on ‘Pablo’ victims

MANILA, Philippines - Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman announced yesterday the cancellation of the agency’s annual Christmas party in order to focus on the ongoing relief operations in typhoon-affected areas in Mindanao.

Soliman ordered the cancellation of the department-wide Christmas party so they could continue helping thousands of typhoon victims, especially in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

“Let us focus on the essential programs and services that are expected of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) at this critical time,” Soliman said in a statement.

As of yesterday morning, the DSWD said there were 59,764 individuals sheltered in 55 evacuation sites.

Soliman said over 180,000 families composed of 795,220 individuals are being assessed and continuously provided assistance.

PNP raises funds for ‘Pablo’ victims

The 154,000 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have agreed to donate P50 each, or about P7.7 million, to help the typhoon victims.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the funds would be immediately sent to Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

“After due consultation with the rank and file of all 148,000 members of the PNP and the 6,000 non-uniformed personnel, we have decided that each PNP personnel would donate P50 to be deducted from their salaries to help those wiped out by the typhoon,” Roxas said.

He said areas rendered inaccessible by typhoon “Pablo” can now be reached by relief goods and workers following the reopening of the Compostela-Cateel Road to big trucks.

“This is a major breakthrough in our efforts to expedite the delivery of much needed food, medicine and clothing supplies by land to thousands of victims in the worst hit areas of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley,” he said.

The DILG chief, however, cautioned motorists with smaller vehicles against using the newly reopened route since clearing operations in many parts of the road are ongoing, according to the latest report from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Gordon leads relief delivery

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman Richard Gordon led the distribution of relief goods in typhoon-hit areas in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley yesterday.

Gordon assessed the situation and talked to the affected families to know their essential needs and to identify ways on how the PRC could best help them.

“More than giving out relief goods, it is important to talk to the people to comfort them the best way we can and assure them that they can still recover and reclaim their dignity,” Gordon said.

He said the biggest challenge faced by the typhoon victims is how to rebuild their lives after losing their families and all their belongings.

He said to address this challenge, the PRC is taking the road from relief to recovery by providing rescue, water, food and other basic services for survival.

“It takes time to recover. We need to work together and coordinate our efforts with all humanitarian players and everyone in the community to bring back normalcy to people’s lives,” Gordon said.

The PRC has provided hot meals, food items, non-food items, drinking water, and hygiene kits to the affected families.

Gordon said preparations are now underway for the early recovery of the families with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Australian Aid, and other organizations. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Cecille Suerte Felipe