Legazpi city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has mobilized 16 personnel to Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) to bolster disaster response efforts in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that recently impacted the Sarangani province.
According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Villareal, the chief of the DSWD-Bicol Disaster Response and Management Division, stated that the team will provide both technical and operational support for implementing social welfare measures for families affected by the seismic activities in Mindanao. The personnel are set to depart today, with their deployment scheduled from June 25 to July 2.
The team participated in a pre-deployment briefing on June 18 at the DSWD warehouse in Barangay Baybay, Legazpi City, as part of their preparation for the mission. Villareal noted that the team's stay in the region would span approximately 10 days, with extensions possible based on ground conditions and further assessment.
Initial arrangements with DSWD Field Office XII indicate that the responders will likely be stationed in Glan town, Sarangani, a severely impacted area. Their responsibilities will encompass camp coordination, management, distribution of food and non-food relief items, and other essential disaster response services.
Villareal highlighted that over 358,000 families affected by the earthquakes are anticipated to benefit from the assistance and services facilitated by the team. The agency has earmarked approximately PHP700,000 to cover the expenses related to transportation, food, accommodation, and other operational needs of the deployed personnel.
The selection of staff members was based on their disaster response experience, readiness for deployment, health status, and availability. Villareal emphasized that the personnel have undergone thorough preparations to ensure they are physically, mentally, and emotionally equipped for the assignment, with safety and psychosocial support mechanisms established for their deployment.
DSWD Bicol Director Norman Laurio affirmed that under the guidance of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives, the agency is dedicated to promptly delivering aid to families displaced and affected by the Mindanao earthquakes, upholding its mandate to leave no one behind.
