DSWD ensures assistance to farmers, farmworkers to be affected by El Niño
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that the agency has sufficient funds and food and non-food items that are ready to be distributed to those who will be adversely affected by dry conditions due to the looming El Niño phenomenon.
The Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) teams of the DSWD are on standby in different regions and are constantly communicating with the local government units (LGUs) to identify ways on how to help those who may be affected by the dry spell, especially the farmers and farmworkers.
In an online meeting with its regional directors on Tuesday, April 25, Secretary Rex Gatchalian checked on the preparedness of the DSWD’s field offices to address the needs of the affected families.
All regional directors and officers who attended the video conference affirmed that their respective field offices are on alert and have sufficient standby funds and stockpiles of food boxes for the expected effects of the El Niño.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe held a video conference with DSWD field office heads on Tuesday, April 25, as part of the DSWD's preparations for the El Niño. (Photo by DSWD)
Gatchalian also directed Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe to ensure that funds and other relief items are strategically placed in DSWD warehouses and are readily available for immediate augmentation to LGUs. Currently, the DSWD Central Office, DSWD field offices, and the National Resource Operations Center have stockpiles and standby funds worth over P1.35 billion. Gatchalian instructed the DSWD field offices to continue their monitoring of the situation in their respective areas so that the appropriate response can be given immediately. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the El Niño may develop in July-August-September 2023 and persist until 2024. The last El Niño event was in 2018-2019.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe held a video conference with DSWD field office heads on Tuesday, April 25, as part of the DSWD's preparations for the El Niño. (Photo by DSWD)
Gatchalian also directed Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe to ensure that funds and other relief items are strategically placed in DSWD warehouses and are readily available for immediate augmentation to LGUs. Currently, the DSWD Central Office, DSWD field offices, and the National Resource Operations Center have stockpiles and standby funds worth over P1.35 billion. Gatchalian instructed the DSWD field offices to continue their monitoring of the situation in their respective areas so that the appropriate response can be given immediately. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the El Niño may develop in July-August-September 2023 and persist until 2024. The last El Niño event was in 2018-2019.