Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman ordered the DSWD Region IX Quick Response Team to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the Office of Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar for any augmentation assistance to families displaced by the on-going armed conflict between the military and the members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City.

Secretary Soliman said the DSWD FO IX is preparing ready-to-eat meals for some 912 individuals who are staying in the different evacuation centers.

The evacuees are now temporary staying in Tetuan Church (292 persons), Tetuan Central School (220 persons), Zamboanga Capitol Grandstand (200 persons), Mampang Elementary School (70 persons), Talon-talon National High School (60 persons), Mariki Elementary School (60 persons) and DSWD Regional Office IX (10 persons).

The DSWD Region IX has P393,406.09 available standby funds and 1,693 family packs ready to augment resources of concerned local government units.  Secretary Soliman has also instructed to download  an additional P500,000.00 to augment the existing standby funds of DSWD Region IX.

In her report to Secretary Soliman, DSWD Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo said that the DSWD Youth Hostel in Sta. Barbara is being used as military/police outpost.   Director Arevalo, however, assured that the staff and clients of the center are safe.

Director Arevalo added that a crisis management meeting is being organized by Mayor Salazar.  ###