The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has incorporated measures to ‘disaster-proof’ its programs and services through the implementation of adaptive and shock responsive social protection systems, an agency official said on Thursday (September 19).
“Lagi kasi nating sinasabi na disasters exacerbate the living conditions of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized so dapat natutulungan natin yung ating mga kababayan na maghanda para sa isang disaster, but at the same time, nagpapatuloy yung ating response operations and we support them toward their early recovery, ” DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency’s spokesperson, said during the Thursday Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao gave reporters examples on how the agency’s program-beneficiaries are empowered to mitigate the impacts of the disasters.
“Yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries may family development sessions (FDS) po yang mga yan. One of the modules of FDS ay yung pong para sa paghahanda para po sa mga disasters. Mayroon din tayong coordination with the DILG for their Operation Listo na programa, so natuturuan, na-cacapacitate yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries na maghanda hindi lamang po pag may bagyo but during volcanic eruptions or earthquakes,” the DSWD spokesperson explained.
Another program that Asst. Secretary Dumlao cited is the pilot implementation of the Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters or B-SPARED Project.
The B-SPARED Project is an anticipatory action (AA) pilot initiative that aims to implement various protective measures before the onset of disasters to mitigate risks and shocks, as well as to help break the cycle of poverty among vulnerable groups due to recurring natural hazards.
“May social protection component wherein mayroon tayong pwedeng ibigay na financial assistance that is what we call anticipatory action,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
By utilizing AA as a proactive approach to natural disasters, the agency was able to help improve the resiliency and adaptive capabilities of families from pilot local government units in Isabela, Surigao del Norte, and North Cotabato. #
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