Bongbong Marcos to DSWD: Respond faster to needs of calamity victims

FILE PHOTO: DSWD relief operations. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to implement a faster response to victims of calamity.

In his first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Marcos Jr. disclosed that he has instructed DSWD to ensure its field offices prepare ample family food packs and non-food essentials for local government units even before calamities strike.

“Magpapatuloy ang ating pagkalinga sa ating mga kababayan na lubos na nangangailangan. Hindi natin sila pababayaan. Mangunguna sa paga-agapay sa kanila ang DSWD,” he said.

“Utos ko sa DSWD, ang mabilis na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga biktima ng kalamidad at krisis… Magdadagdag tayo ng mga operation warehouse at imbakan ng relief goods lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar na mahirap marating,” he added.

Marcos Jr. said that there should also be better coordination between the DSWD and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development for the improved implementation of the “Emergency Shelter Assistance Program” for calamity victims.

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