The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged the local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to apportion food, non-food, cash and other relief assistance ‘fairly’ to all the communities affected by Typhoon ‘Egay.’ DILG-CAR Director Araceli San Jose asked the LGU officials to set aside any differences and prioritize ‘the well-being of the people’ in times of emergency and adverse circumstances. “By acting with urgency and fairness, we can ensure that no one is left behind and that every typhoon victim receives the assistance they require to rebuild their lives,” San Jose said. As public servants, San Jose asserted that ‘it is our responsibility to go beyond simply offering assistance’’, citing the duty to guarantee that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, receives the necessary support to navigate through these challenging times. She insisted that “the extent of our dedication to public service is demonstrated by our response during these critical times.” “As part of the government’s commitment to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), the LGUs are directed to use pertinent DRRM funds to execute emergency relief operations and assistance as specified by current laws and policies,’’ san Jose said. “We recognize the herculean task ahead of us, but together, we can make a difference. The true measure of our dedication to public service lies in our response during these critical moments. Let us rise to the occasion and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the well-being of our fellow citizens. Time is of the essence. Let us act with urgency and compassion,” she added. The DILG-CAR chief reminded the concerned parties of the ‘shared responsibility to serve our communities selflessly and with compassion.’ Based on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as of 12:00 p.m. of July 28, 2023, the DILG noted that 49,442 households in the area have been affected by Super Typhoon Egay. In collaboration with the LGUs and various stakeholders, the DSWD has shelled out P 6.6 million worth of assistance, encompassing essential relief items, including family food packs, hygiene kits, family kits, sleeping kits, bottled water and other non-food items. The DILG said that these provisions have been distributed to evacuees currently residing in evacuation centers, assuring that the distribution of relief items in the region has been strategically carried out in accordance with the disaster risk prepositioning agreement (DRPA) that was established with the LGUs. “The items listed above have been stored within the warehouses of their respective units to ensure effective deployment in the event of a disaster,’’ the DILG added.