The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office (FO) 12 – SOCCSKSARGEN has activated its quick response teams (QRT) following a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that struck Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat around 1:05 a.m. on Wednesday (January 28).
The DSWD’s FO 12 immediately mobilized its personnel and resources to ensure the swift delivery of assistance to affected communities in the municipality of Kalamansig.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the DSWD FO 12, in coordination with the local government unit (LGU), has already distributed family food packs (FFPs) to evacuees temporarily staying in barangay Salaman in Lebak town, Sultan Kudarat.
“Our Field Office 12 has activated its quick response teams, all ready and prepared for immediate response. Our staff are ready for deployment and our family food packs, as well as other relief assistance are ready for distribution. In fact, the DSWD FO SOCCSARGEN are already distributing family food packs in coordination with the local government units, as well as in assessing the damage of the earthquake,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also DSWD spokesperson, said on Wednesday (January 28).
Based on initial assessment and coordination with local authorities, no major damage to houses and public facilities was recorded. Continuous monitoring remains in place to ensure the safety and well-being of affected families and to address emerging needs.
These actions form part of the continuing disaster response of the DSWD and aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that government assistance remains responsive, organized, and readily available to communities affected by disasters.
“Ang palagi po naming paalala sa ating mga kababayan, mag-ingat, maging alerto, at syempre tumutok sa official announcements ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan and also, our concerned agencies, para alam natin kung ano ang nararapat gawin,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
Asst. Secretary Dunlao said preparatory activities were immediately undertaken by the DSWD, through its FO 12 that include coordination, contingency planning, and resource mobilization, in close partnership with the concerned LGUs and partner agencies.
The DSWD spokesperson reminded the public to remain vigilant and to follow advisories issued by authorities, especially in areas prone to aftershocks and related hazards such as landslides, liquefaction, and possible tsunami or flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.
The DSWD also affirms its commitment to sustain coordination with local government units to ensure the continued delivery of assistance and the protection of communities affected by natural disasters. (KI)
