The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its field office in Western Visayas, signed a Deed of Usufruct with the municipal government of Pototan, Iloilo for the right to use one of their land properties for the construction of a regional emergency relief resource warehouse in the said town.

The partnership signing on March 10 was led by DSWD Regional Director Carmelo N. Nochete and Pototan Mayor Rafael Enrique P. Lazaro, and was witnessed by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.

The Deed of Usufruct gives DSWD-Western Visayas the temporary right to use the land in Brgy. Tumcon Ilaya, Pototan, Iloilo for 25 years through Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Resolution No. 2023-022.

It will be used for the construction of a regional warehouse to store food and non-food items, which can be easily replenished in localities in Iloilo and other neighboring provinces before any disaster or calamity occurs.

After the ceremonial signing, Gatchalian met with local officials and inspected the centers and residential care facilities managed by the DSWD that cater to the needs of women.

The DSWD chief visited the Home for Girls in Brgy. Pungtod, Cabatuan and the Regional Center for Women in New Lucena, Iloilo, to assess the condition of their clients and ensure the adequacy of resources and staff that meet the needs of the residents.

In the coming weeks, Gatchalian is scheduled to visit other DSWD field offices to inspect other centers and residential care facilities, as well as meet with local chief executives to improve the department's collaboration with local government units.