QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on December 11, 2024, to enhance emergency response and disaster preparedness in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The signing took place at DSWD’s Disaster Response Command Center in this city.
Under the MOA, both agencies will establish a joint working protocol for the efficient provision of relief items, including food packs, shelter materials, and other essential supplies.
Both agencies will coordinate closely to ensure timely assistance for disaster-affected families. The partnership also aims to strengthen capacity building in the region, improving disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. DSWD will provide technical and material support to MSSD as needed.
MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie emphasized the significance of this collaboration.
“I think, more than ever, we are very conscious of the powers and responsibilities posed upon us because, with bigger fiscal autonomy as well, this allows us to conduct and exercise our mandates, and develop our own programs that may be different from DSWD. And that’s a good thing because we have now contextualized our response to various social welfare issues facing the BARMM,” Jajurie said.
Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Mohammad Muktadir Ahmad Estrella highlighted MSSD’s primary role in disaster response in the region.
“On our part, it is a recognition by the DSWD of our autonomy. So, when there are requests in BARMM, MSSD is expected to be the primary provider,” Estrella emphasized.
DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) expressed her pride in this landmark agreement. She also reiterated the department’s support for BARMM, emphasizing their shared vision of protecting communities and building resilience.
“I am proud to note that this is the first MOA between the DSWD and the MSSD-BARMM concerning disaster protocols, technical assistance, benchmarking, and other collaborative efforts,” Cajipe stated.
Also present at the signing were Special Assistant to the Secretary for DRMG Leo Quintilla and other DSWD staff. (PIA Lanao del Sur with reports from MSSD-BARMM)
