The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has incorporated measures to “disaster-proof” its programs and services by implementing adaptive and shock-responsive social protection systems, said spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.
To achieve this, she highlighted the need to assist vulnerable communities in disaster preparedness while continuing response operations and supporting early recovery.
“Lagi kasi nating sinasabi na disasters exacerbate the living conditions of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized so dapat natutulungan natin yung ating mga kababayan na maghanda para sa isang disaster (We often say that disasters exacerbate the living conditions of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized, so we need to help our fellow citizens prepare for a disaster),” Dumlao said.
“But, at the same time, nagpapatuloy yung ating response operations and we support them toward their early recovery. So paano napaghahandaan ng ating mga beneficiaries yun pong mga disasters? (Our response operations continue, and we support them in their early recovery. So how do our beneficiaries prepare for these disasters?),” she added.
Dumlao said one of the response measures for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) includes family development sessions (FDS) that focus on teaching disaster preparedness.
“Yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries may family development sessions po yang mga yan. One of the modules of FDS ay yung pong para sa paghahanda para po sa mga disasters (Our 4Ps beneficiaries have family development sessions. One of the modules of these sessions is focused on preparing for disasters),” she said.
“Mayroon din tayong coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government [DILG] for their Operation Listo na programa, so natuturuan, naka-capacitate yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries na maghanda hindi lamang po pag may bagyo but during volcanic eruptions or earthquakes (We also have coordination with the DILG for their Operation Listo program, which helps train and equip our 4Ps beneficiaries to prepare not only for tropical cyclones but also for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes),” she added.
Dumlao also cited the pilot implementation of the Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters (B-SPARED) Project.
It is an anticipatory action (AA) initiative designed to implement protective measures before disasters strike to mitigate risks and shocks while helping to break the cycle of poverty among vulnerable groups affected by recurring natural hazards.
“May social protection component wherein mayroon tayong pwedeng ibigay na financial assistance that is what we call anticipatory action (There is a social protection component that allows us to provide financial assistance, which is referred to as anticipatory action),” Dumlao said.
She explained that by employing AA as a proactive strategy for addressing natural disasters, the agency significantly enhanced the resilience and adaptive capabilities of families in pilot local governments in Isabela, Surigao del Norte, and North Cotabato.