LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the people in the Bicol region that relief goods and food packs are already positioned in areas vulnerable to the La Niña weather phenomenon.
DSWD Regional Director Norman Laurio disclosed that packed goods worth P196.6 million have been prepared in 41 of the region’s most vulnerable localities to lessen typhoon effects this year.
A standby fund of P338,500 has been allocated for La Niña Disaster Response Operations, and about 142,205 food packs and 37,805 non-food pack items are ready to be distributed to six provinces in the Bicol region.
“Hindi pa man umaabot ang tag-ulan at ang tag-tuyot, sinisiguro po ng aming ahensya na dapat ay may nakalaan na pagkain sa bawat munisipyo para may maibigay agad sa mga apektadong pamilya. Ang DSWD katuwang ang ibang ahensya ay handang tumugon sa kanilang pangangailangan sa panahon ng unos at sakuna,” he said.
(Even before climactic disasters occur, we ensure that food items are prepared to be supplied to affected families. The DSWD, together with other agencies, is also ready to provide support to address their needs during times of disasters and calamities.)
Last March, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a La Niña Watch for the country.
La Niña, which means “little girl” in Spanish, is a weather phenomenon that has the opposite effect of El Niño. During La Niña, trade winds become stronger than usual, leading to an increase in warm water and rainfall in the Asian region. This raises the risk of floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
The increased rainfall could result in significant damage to agriculture and disrupt supply chains. Heavy rain and floods could make it more challenging to transport produce from farms to the market.
Laurio also addressed the public about the recent interventions and actions during the El Niño season in the first semester of the year.
A total of 353,442 individuals were affected, amounting to P20.2 million worth of 29,209 family food packs.
Following the order of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian to ensure that vulnerable sectors are appropriately supported, the DSWD Bicol provided financial assistance of P10,000 to each of the local farmers and fisher folk.
Additionally, the Department of Agrarian Reform provided some of them with land ownership certificates. The Department of Agriculture handed over modernized equipment, machinery, and hybrid seedlings.
“Ito po ay dahil sa totoong whole-of-nation approach sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas program. Hindi lang DSWD ang maaaring magresponde sa anumang kalamidad, nandiyan rin ang tulong ng ibang ahensya para hindi maramdaman ng ating kababayan ang epekto ng El Niño,” he said.
(The Bagong Pilipinas program has resulted in a whole-of-nation approach where not only DSWD can respond to calamities, but other agencies as well.)
In 2023, about 103,000 affected Bicolanos received 104,917 family food packs and non-food items during typhoons and other calamities, totaling P71.4 million.
“Sa tagal ko po bilang isang mangingisda, ngayon lang ako napasali sa ganitong programa. Lubos po ang aking pagpapasalamat sa DSWD sa tulong na bigay nila sa amin lalo na po mahigit isang buwan na kaming di makapagpangisda,” said Edwin Barizo, a fisherman from Maulawin, Santa Elena, Camarines Norte, as he received financial assistance due to the rainy effects of the shear line.
(As a long-time fisherman, this is the first time I’ve been involved in a government program. I thank the DSWD for the help they have provided us. It’s been a month since I have been able to fish.) (PIA5/KAB)
