Officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, assured local chief executives (LCEs) from Southern Leyte that they would provide all necessary assistance to help their constituents recover from the impacts of Typhoons Tino and Uwan.
During the coordination meeting with the LCEs on Friday (November 14), the DSWD chief emphasized that he would promptly relay the requests of Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado and the local executives to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Cabinet. These include measures to jumpstart livelihood activities and revitalize the agriculture sector to support the province’s early recovery.
Joining Secretary Gatchalian in the meeting were Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe and Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), Asst. Secretary Paul Ledesma of the Office for Special Concerns (OSC) and Regional Director Grace Subong of DSWD Field Office 8 – Eastern Visayas. (AKDL)
DSWD to support full recovery of Tino-hit families in Southern Leyte – Sec. Gatchalian
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has pledged to support families affected by Typhoon Tino in Southern Leyte until their full recovery.
“I am here to personally assure you na hindi po namin kayo nakakalimutan. You are actually on top of our list,” Secretary Gatchalian told the local chief executives.
The DSWD chief made the commitment during his meeting with provincial and municipal leaders on Friday (November 14) at the Hinunangan Provincial Capitol.
“More importantly, nakita ko sa mga mukha ninyo, the bigger concern is yung sa recovery. I think more than anything yun ang pinaka bumabagabag sa inyong mga isipan. Kami, sa DSWD, we already have the preliminary list of partially and totally damaged houses. We will start processing financial assistance for them,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Families with partially damaged homes will receive Php 5,000, while those with totally damaged homes will receive Php 10,000, according to the DSWD chief.
Secretary Gatchalian visited the province to assess the situation of affected families, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. instructing him to ensure that government assistance reaches communities still reeling from the aftermath of Typhoons Tino and Uwan.
“Ang mensahe ng ating Pangulo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., importante kayo sa kanya. Gusto niya kayong tulungan kaya narito ako ngayon para unawain kung paano namin kayo matutulungang makabangon muli,” Secretary Gatchalian said, stressing that Southern Leyte remains a priority for the national government.
During the meeting, Secretary Gatchalian instructed Regional Director Grace Subong of the DSWD Field Office 8 in Eastern Visayas to work closely with local chief executives to expedite the release of additional non-food items for affected households, which include kitchen kits, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and other essential supplies.
The DSWD chief also committed to continue to provide food assistance “as long as the local government units need it.”
“We have food packs readily available in our regional warehouse,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Earlier that day, the DSWD chief led the onsite distribution of assistance to families affected in the municipality of Hinunangan, providing them with cash aid, family food packs (FFPs), clothing kits, sleeping kits, and distilled drinking water.
“Nitong mga nakalipas na linggo alam ko na tuloy-tuloy yung pamamahagi ng family food box at mga non-food items pero sa pagbaba ng baha, alam namin na marami ang napinsala. Sisiguraduhin po namin sa DSWD na tutulungan at tutulungan namin kayo,” Secretary Gatchalian said. (YADP)
DSWD chief gives cash, relief aid to Tino-affected families in Southern Leyte
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian leads the distribution of cash assistance to families and individuals severely affected by Typhoon Tino in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte on Friday (November 14).
The DSWD chief also distributed family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items, including family clothing kits, sleeping kits, and distilled drinking water.
Joining Secretary Gatchalian were Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG); Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao also of DRMG; Asst. Secretary Paul Ledesma of the Office for Special Concerns (OSC) and Regional Director Grace Subong of DSWD Field Office 8 – Eastern Visayas. (YADP)
