THE agency said over 7,000 affected families across six municipalities in Oriental Mindoro - Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Bongabong, Gloria, and Bansud - have already started receiving family food packs.
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to distribute assistance to families affected by the oil spill brought by the capsized motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian will personally lead the distribution of aids under the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations and cash-for-work programs on Saturday, March 4.
“This will be a sustained endeavor while the oil spill prevents our fisher folk from conducting their regular livelihood activities,” Gatchalian vowed.
The DSWD chief said over 7,000 affected families across six municipalities in Oriental Mindoro – Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Bongabong, Gloria, and Bansud – have already started receiving family food packs on Friday in close coordination with Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor since Friday, March 3.
The DSWD’s usual quick response came upon directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“The government, through the DSWD, is prepared to provide various forms of assistance to families and individuals affected by the oil spill caused by the submerged MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro,” the President said on his official Twitter account.
Meanwhile, the DSWD MIMAROPA regional office and the Social Welfare and Development Team (SWADT) Oriental Mindoro, together with Provincial/ City/ Municipal Quick Response Team (P/C/MQRT) on-duty are closely monitoring and coordinating with the concerned Provincial/ Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (P/MDRRMC) for other necessary updates.
As the number of affected families is expected to increase to up to 10,000, DSWD has prepositioned more than P78.9 million worth of standby and stockpile funds composed of some 42,400 FFPs and standby funds amounting to P7.2 million which can be tapped to augment assistance to affected municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.
The DSWD will continue to monitor the affected locals to ensure that their needs are immediately met.
