By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs), is stepping up its effort to identify the target beneficiaries, distribution points, and strategies needed to ensure the government's smooth distribution of food, and non-food assistance to families and individuals affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Department of Social Welfare and Development (MANILA BULLETIN)
The DSWD said its Field Offices (FOs) are in touch with the LGUs to ensure family food packs and non-food items will be given to those affected by the Luzon-wide ECQ.
"This is part of the DSWD’s Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) mandate to assist LGUs as they address the food and other basic requirements of their constituents in times of emergencies," it said in a statement on Thursday, March 19.
"DSWD’s Field Offices (FOs) are now coordinating with LGUs in identifying target beneficiaries, distribution points, and strategies to be undertaken to ensure the smooth distribution of goods," the Department noted.
The DSWD said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will assist in the hauling and delivery of the food packs and non-food items, such as hygiene kits to LGUs.
It reassured the public that the agency has enough funds to sustain the Luzon-wide distribution of food and non-food assistance to various communities.
"The DSWD Central Office has a total of P1.3 billion Quick Response Fund (QRF), which can be replenished by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) once exhausted, to sustain the provision of food and other essential supplies to various communities," it said.
The DSWD also assured that it is "now finalizing its guidelines for the provision of social amelioration services that will further benefit families and individuals affected by this health crisis."
The agency vowed to continuously provide immediate and efficient social services to the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged, "while putting premium on the health and safety of its beneficiaries and personnel in this time of public health emergency."
On Wednesday night, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista assured the Quezon City government that the DSWD will provide the "necessary" assistance to its residents who cannot work following the government's imposition of ECQ.
Bautista gave in to the request of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte who earlier appealed to the national government and DSWD to step in and assist her city government in providing food to those who cannot work due to the ECQ from April 6 to April 12.
" DSWD will provide the necessary support to QC during the requested period," he said in a Viber message posted by DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao.
Belmonte earlier said that on the fourth week, the city government's funds "will be insufficient."
Quezon City has recorded 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Bautista earlier said the DSWD will not only extend family food packs, but also cash emergency assistance to the marginalized and poor communities.
He said the budget for the cash emergency assistance will be requested from the DBM.
President Duterte on Monday night directed the DSWD, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) to extend food aid to the marginalized communities.