DSWD turns over donations for oil-spill stricken communities

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) recently turned over 8,184 family food packs for 2,728 affected families in oil-spill stricken communities in Cordova town.

Several barangays were affected after the sunken vessel MV St. Thomas Aquinas leaked oil following a collision with Sulpicio Express Siete last Friday. Most of the families affected were fishermen and had to stop their daily fishing and other livelihood activities after the oil spill.

“We immediately coordinated with Congressman Quisumbing, the local government unit of Cordova and other concerned national government agencies to mitigate the impact of the disaster,” said DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

“However, our resources are limited so we are calling on private individuals and businessmen to donate goods to the affected fisher folks,” Jabagat added.

Canned goods, rice, bottled water and toiletries are some of the useful items the agency gathered for them.

Donations may be dropped at the DSWD-7 office at corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue and General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City through Disaster Risk Reduction Management focal person, Jennifer Abastillas.