DSWD says relief goods accounted for in Guimaras
As far as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is concerned, all relief goods that come from its office are accounted for and oil spill victims benefited.
Social Welfare Regional Director Teresita Rosales told media during the weekly Press briefing of Task Force Solar Oil Spill (SOS) that relief assistance through DSWD for the victims of the oil spill in Guimaras have been handled in such a way that those who need the goods are given.
Rosales, however, said that donations, including cash that did not pass through the agency are not their responsibility.
She added that because of the devolution, the responsibility in seeing to it that the relief goods and other donations are appropriately distribution, is in the hands of the local government units through the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO).
Rosales further said that relief distribution activities are always done with the LGUs. As to having relief distribution centralized, Rosales said that this cannot be done as there are organizations and entities that would like to have the distribution done themselves or given directly to the LGUs.
As of now, Rosales said that the agency is into the implementation of a detailed relief and rehabilitation plan in collaboration with other agencies, particularly those concerning skills and livelihood activities.
Capability-building to help the affected families spin off to other means of livelihood, is an aspect DSWD and TESDA are focusing into, considering the fact that the oil spill evacuees are used to fishing as their main occupation.
While the DSWD regularly consults with the provincial relief and rehabilitation committee and gives them technical assistance, the agency continues with its immediate intervention through the Cash for Work Program.
To date, DSWD 6 has already spent about P642,000 for the project, benefiting 423 affected families, with P200 per day per person rendering work in community gardening, cleanliness, garbage collection and others.
(PIA 6)