Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, together with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya, held an interfacing dialogue with local chief executives of Cebu province on 2 February 2022.

The dialogue aimed to provide local officials with updates on the agency’s response operations for Typhoon Odette and projects that would respond to the needs of the affected communities.

Various assistance has already been released to local government units since the start of relief operations including food packs, tents, and laminated sacks, as augmentation support to requesting LGUs.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda D. Relova discussed the provisions of financial assistance for early recovery.

Based on the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 5 of DILG, DSWD, and DND, the national government, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), will download fiunds for financial assistance to local government units, and eligible beneficiaries identified as low income and severely affected, will be given the cash aid.

After the dialogue in Argao, Secretary Bautista led the distribution of financial assistance in Balamban, one of the highly-affected areas in the province.

“The national government ensures everyone that response operations will continue and provide those affected with the necessary help from DSWD,” said Bautista. ###

(110) Views