DSWD chief Taguiwalo: Foreign aid not needed now

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has sufficient funds to assist the victims of the onslaught of typhoons "Karen" and "Lawin," Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.

Taguiwalo stressed that the country is not asking for foreign assistance nor donations.

"Mga mahal naming kababayan, kaunting paliwanag po: hindi tayo humihingi ng foreign assistance o donations mula sa ibang bansa para sa Karen o Lawin dahil nakitang may sapat na pondo ang gobyerno at mga ahensya nito para saklolohan ang mamamayang apektado," Taguiwalo said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Taguiwalo stressed that the Philippines should not be dependent on foreign assistance when it could stand on its own feet.

The DSWD chief added that local government units and members of the private sector, headed by President Rodrigo Duterte, are working together to respond to the victims of the typhoons.

"Pagsisikapan natin na paghusayin at linisin ang sistema ng relief and assistance dustribution nang walang halong pulitika," Taguiwalo said.

One Facebook user, however, commented that the Philippine government should set aside pride and personal grudges to give way for humanitarian works.

"Even first world countries accept foreign aids/donations in times of calamities... It's for those who are badly affected by these calamities, after all, and not to be used as a weapon to feed one's ego by refusing to take what is offered," Facebook user Napoleon Nalcot said.

Taguiwalo answered the comment by stressing that the government acquired a large amount of foreign aid during the onslaught of Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013.

"Hanggang ngayon hindi malinaw saan napunta ang malaking bahagi ng donations at tine-trace pa rin dahil maraming hindi nakinabang sa tulong," Taguiwalo said.

The cost of damage to agriculture in areas affected by Typhoon Lawin has reached P10.2 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture. This covers 467,068 hectares of agricultural areas in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 4B (Mimaropa) and 5 (Bicol) and affects about 70,000 farmers.

On the other hand, Typhoon Karen's total damage has amounted to P2.97 billion which covers 260,002 hectares of agricultural areas in Regions 1, 3, 4A and 5.