BACOLOD CITY (PIA) – Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited Negros Occidental, Dec. 10, to lead the response efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Negros Occidental.
Following the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano on Dec. 9, Sec. Gatchalian flew into this province to personally monitor the situation on the ground and oversee the Agency’s disaster response operations.
In Bago City, Gatchalian led the distribution of food and non-food items to some 68 families or 272 individuals currently taking shelter at the Bago City Coliseum.
In a media interview, Gatchalian said their team brought more family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items and stressed additional family kits will be arriving in the province soon.
He then urged families to monitor updates and follow the advice and warnings of the authorities.
“Makinig po tayo sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan. Kapag tayo ay nasa danger zone, lalung-lalo na kung tayo ay nasa 6-kilometer [danger zone], huwag na tayong mag-atubili pang mag-evacuate para sa inyong kabutihan.”
[Let us listen to the advice of the local government. If you are inside the danger zone, especially within the 6-kilometer danger zone, do not hesitate to evacuate for your safety.]
Gatchalian also assured that DSWD is in close coordination with the local governments involved to ensure the sufficiency of food and water resources, and decent sleeping quarters.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na ang mga pangangailangan ninyo sa loob ng evacuation center ay matugunan po natin.”
[We will make sure that all your needs in the evacuation center will be provided.]
While prepositioned food and non-food items in various LGUs in Negros Occidental are being utilized in the ongoing response efforts, he noted that these will be immediately replenished in preparation for future needs.
“Tuloy-tuloy yan [distribution] from both regions kasi right now we are operating out of Region 6 and Region 7. We have more than enough stocks ng family food supplies sa isla ng Negros.”
With the combined force of DSWD regional offices of Western and Eastern Visayas, Gatchalian stressed that their agency is prepared to meet the needs of the evacuees affected by Kanlaon’s eruption. (AGP/BPS/PIA Negros Occidental)
