DSWD ensures adequate augmentation support to oil spill-affected LGUs in Oriental Mindoro
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured on Tuesday, April 11, that there is adequate intervention for families and individuals affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, which complements the disaster response operations and efforts of their local government units (LGUs).
The DSWD made the assurance following the statement of a research group that there was not enough assistance and no income being given to residents affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.
“While the LGUs are mandated by Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 to be the first responders during natural and human-induced calamities, the DSWD has likewise provided the needed basic services for the affected population through technical assistance and resource augmentation,” the DSWD said.
“Through its good partnership with the LGUs in the affected areas, sufficient assistance, in different forms, was provided to fisherfolks and other residents in Oriental Mindoro,” it added.
Based on the latest DSWD report, more than P137.3 million worth of humanitarian aid, consisting of family food packs and financial assistance, was distributed to the affected families in the province.
About 74,300 family food packs have been given to different municipalities in Oriental Mindoro, where the DSWD is currently in the fourth phase of providing food packs.
In addition, the DSWD said it is implementing the cash-for-work (CFW) program in Oriental Mindoro to provide temporary livelihood to the affected population.
Currently, about 14,000 affected individuals, identified by their LGUs, have received their initial salary equivalent to their regional daily minimum wage.
Likewise, there were 11,365 individuals who received financial assistance worth P3,000 to P5,000 through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.
These individuals and families served by the DSWD, in partnership with the LGUs, are from the towns of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, and Roxas.
Meanwhile, the DSWD said that although the LGUs have the responsibility to provide immediate relief assistance in the first instance of a disaster, other national government agencies also have the duty to help the affected communities and families recover from the economic impact of the oil spill.
Aside from Oriental Mindoro, the department said that it also continues to help other localities affected by the incident.
Currently, more than P53.7 million worth of aid has been given to the municipality of Caluya in Antique province, while it has provided more than P3 million to the local government of Batangas City.