BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has deployed teams to assess the impact left by Typhoon Lawin in all provinces of the region.
“We will send teams from the regional office to assist the local government units in assessing the needs of our communities. To further fast track the release of our assistance, the teams will also ensure that documents necessary for the release of such are complete”, OIC-Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.
Aside from gathering data in the provinces, the teams will also ensure that the families are provided with the necessary intervention.
“Pipilitin nating maabot ang bawat pamilya sa Kordilyera upang masiguro na sila ay makatatanggap o nakatanggap nang tulong”, Armas added.
DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo has announced that the DSWD will be providing Php 5,000 Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to all Lawin affected families.
“This is just the initial assistance that we will give to the families with totally or partially destroyed houses. Additional assistance can be given upon assessment and completion of necessary documents”, Armas said.
Aside from the family food packs and non-food items, during disasters, the DSWD provides ESA with a maximum amount of Php 10,000 for victims with partially damaged houses and maximum of Php 30,000 for victims with totally damaged houses. Families that are needed to be relocated can be provided assistance through the Core Shelter Assistance Program with a financial assistance ranging from Php 70,000 to Php 130,000.
As of 12 NN of 24 October 2016, there are 10,700 partially damaged houses and 1,274 totally damaged houses in the Region. However, the number is expected to increase with reports coming following the restoration of power and telecommunication signal just now.
The DSWD will also be implementing Cash-for-Work (CFW) for the communities with damaged facilities. Activities such as clearing of debris and repair of damaged shelters and small-scale community infrastructures can be covered by the CFW. Beneficiaries of such will be allowed to work for a maximum of 15 days per person and will be paid with a rate of Php 214.00 per day representing 75% of the current regional wage rate.
“All of our assistance will be given through direct cash payout and we will try our best to release the initial assistance by the second week of November. We will also ensure that our operations will give priority to the poor,” Armas added./Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva- DSWD CAR
