As severe tropical storm “Bising” entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured Friday, April 16, that it has funds to augment the resources of the local government units (LGUs) that will be affected by the weather disturbance.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the DSWD Field Offices have standby funds and available relief supplies.
"Ang DSWD ay handa na tumugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga local government units para ma-augment ang kanilang resources especially in addressing the needs of their constituents lalong lalo na nga po sa panahon ng bagyo or other disasters (The DSWD is ready to respond to the needs of the local government units to augment their resources, especially in addressing the needs of their constituents especially in times of typhoon or other disasters),” she said in an interview over DZBB.
She said the agency has prepositioned relief goods composed of food and non-food items.
"Ang atin pong mga Field Offices mayroong (Our Field Offices have) standby funds and prepositioned goods. Other Field Offices that will not be affected and Central Office ay mayroong standby funds na puwede makadagdag dun po sa resources ng ating Field Offices (have standby funds that could augment the resources of our Field Offices),” she said.
“Meron po tayong pondo dahil yan ay nakalaan sa ating 2021 budget (We have funds because these were allocated in the 2021 budget),” she assured.
In a meeting with President Duterte, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista reported that it has available standby funds and stockpiles amounting to over P581.43 million.