AS REGION 6 BATTLES COVID: DSWD delivers P3.78-M worth of food packs, P6.43 M aid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region VI (DSWD-6) has provided food and non-food assistance to different local government units (LGUs) as Western Visayas battles coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

As of April 2, 2020, the DSWD-6 has sent 10,500 family foods packs amounting to P3.78 million as relief augmentation to LGUs.

The FFPs also include 72 dignity kits and 72 sleeping kits.

Iloilo, including Iloilo City, received 5,319 FFPs worth P1,914,840 while Capiz got 2,000 FFPs; Aklan with 1,700; Antique with 1,144; and Negros Occidental with only 337 FFPs.

In times of crisis, the LGU will be the first to respond by providing assistance through the use of Quick Response Funds (QRFs), as stipulated under Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code Act of 1991) and RA 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management DRRM Act of 2010).

But in times when the LGUs funds won’t be enough, DSWD-6 public information officer May Rago-Castillo said local chief executives need to submit to them a letter request and certification of non-availability of QRF to the DSWD.

The DSWD regional office will confirm the request and would coordinate with their provincial extension offices.

It will be based on the data gathered by the Disaster Response Operations Management Information Center.

Once the request is approved, the DSWD would set the schedule for the disbursement of the augmentation.

The LGU will then schedule the release in their area.

Meanwhile, during the period, the DSWD-6 also released P6.43 million as aid to individuals in crisis situation.

The amount is in response to the needs of 969 individuals. It was given in the form of a guarantee letter and outright cash.

Castillo said most of these are for medical assistance.