The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extends it gratitude to all the volunteers who helped repack relief goods at its main warehouse, the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, and in all its satellite hubs in Metro Manila and in the regional repacking centers.
The Department reiterated that it has closed the repacking centers in Metro Manila and Cebu and will strengthen those in Eastern Visayas.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman emphasized that the volunteers contributed greatly to the relief efforts of the government especially in the repacking and delivering around 2.6 million relief packs to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern and Western Visayas.
“I commend and personally thank our volunteers. We could not have done it without you,” Secretary Soliman said.
The commendation comes at an auspicious time as the nation celebrates today, November 30, the birth anniversary of one of our national heroes, Andres Bonifacio.
She added, “You truly exemplify the essence of modern heroism…”
She also thanked the employees of DSWD and other government agencies, and the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who provided “invaluable help and assistance” during the relief operations.
She also recognized those who provided stress debriefings to mothers and children in the evacuation centers who were traumatized by the typhoon.
Since November 9, the day after ‘Yolanda’ hit the country, until November 29, a total of 151,920 volunteers have enlisted in the different repacking centers in Metro Manila and other regions.
DSWD officials will go around the repacking centers today, the last day of volunteer activities, to thank the volunteers and ensure that the closing would be smooth.
Relief distribution continues
With the repacking to be done in Eastern Visayas, Secretary Soliman assured that relief distribution will continue until December for all affected families.
The Department started with the sixth round of distribution yesterday.
By January until February, relief distribution will focus on families who are still not capable to earn. These include those families with female heads, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant and lactating mothers, small children, and sick members.
Cash-For-Work
As part of the early recovery efforts, the Department will continue to provide Cash-For-Work (CFW) for the victims of ‘Yolanda.’
The CFW is an intervention for disaster victims where they are given cash in exchange for doing community work such as cleaning of roads and canal debris.
According to Secretary Soliman, the CFW would help victims return to their normal social functioning in life as they will have some money to buy food and other necessities.
“Working and earning through the CFW scheme will not only help them recover but to also regain their self-esteem and dignity,” she shared.
Secretary Soliman urged the priority-families to go to their respective City or Municipal Social Welfare Office and provide them with their circumstances to ensure that they will be included in the list of relief recipients.
Donors also lauded
Secretary Soliman likewise lauded local and international humanitarian aid donors for their generous support.
“Your donations will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of all typhoon victims,” she stated.
Among the latest donors are United Pulp and Paper Company, Inc. (UPPC) which turned over to the DSWD a check donation amounting to more than P1.2 million and 10 boxes of used clothes; Clark Development Corporation (CDC) with P1.2 million; and Innovathink Corporation with cash donation worth P54,000 and 40 boxes of canned goods and used clothing.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Javier Jimenez received the UPPC donation yesterday on behalf of Secretary Soliman at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
In receiving the donation, Assistant Secretary Jimenez said, “We really appreciate your generosity and will be sharing with you our rehabilitation plan so you will see where your donations go.”
Wichan Jitpukdee, President and Chief Executive Officer of UPPC conveyed the company’s desire to aid the typhoon victims.
On the other hand, Franco Madlangbayan said their donation came from the officials and employees of Clark Development Corporation.
“We want to do our share to help the typhoon victims,” he pointed out.
For their part, Ferdinand Mesina of Innovathink remarked, “In response to the crisis, we decided to cancel our traditional Christmas party in the office to help in our own little way.”
As of November 29, a total of P47,759,770.59 local cash donations and US$13,109,737.27 foreign cash donations were received by DSWD for ‘Yolanda’ victims.# # #
