SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija – The municipal social welfare and development office here yesterday said that the distribution of relief goods to thousands of families affected by Typhoon Ulysses has been “swift, efficient, and systematic,” owing to a municipal identification system (MIS) which was implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“By using this municipal identification system ay identified na agad natin ang mga beneficiaries sa mga bahay-bahay tuwing relief distribution na gagawin namin and even during the pandemic sa pamimigay ng food packs sa mga lockdowns,” said Chiariety Mhea A. Baynosa, MSWD officer.
“Lahat ng apektado binibigyan ng relief, kung sampu katao ang bilang ng pangalan sa listahan sa isang bahay, tig-iisa pa din sila ng food packs kasi nakabilang sila lahat sa data ng MIS,” she said.
Baynosa explained that prior to going to the affected barangay for the relief-distribution activity, they already had the needed data required using the municipal ID system, which is a brainchild of Mayor Arvin C. Salonga.
Baynosa told the Journal Group that about 22,000 food packs that were ordered prepared by the mayor have so far been distributed in affected barangays after Ulysses struck last week.
She added the food pack-distribution in the town’s six barangays has been ongoing since Nov. 13, a day after Ulysses struck.
To become “effective and systematic,” Baynosa explained that using the MIS data in times of crisis or the pandemic is a three-way cooordination system between three municipal offices – the general services office (GSO) under Maria Roma Vida S. David, the MSWDO under her, and the MDRRMO led by Remigio S. Catle.
She said the MIS data are kept at the GSO which then supplies to the MSWDO the needed house-to-house information at the ground for the conduct of relief operations and with the MSWDO coordinating with the MDRRMO for determining the specific areas to be covered by the said operations.
At least 21,777 affected individuals in these barangays broken down as 4,065 in Bgy. Julo, 4,585 in Sto. Cristo, 5,000 in Papaya, 3,354 in San Mariano, 2,796 in Buliran, and 1,977 in Maugat, have already benefitted from the relief distribution.
Meanwhile, the MDRRMC under Catle as of Nov. 18 reported that total damage to agriculture, residential buildings, and infrastructure reached P23.3 million.
Catle said the total damage to fallen or uprooted trees, specifically fruit-bearing trees from the municipal environment and natural resources office, is still being gathered or collated.
