With the massive exodus of typhoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors from Eastern Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) tapped the services of social workers from the 17 Local Government Units in Metro Manila in assessing the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) arriving at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said the LGUs and NGAs in Metro Manila are undertaking collective efforts in responding to the needs of the IDPS.
“This is aside from the thousands of volunteers who personally provided resources and other support services to the IDPs from the day the C-130 started to transport evacuees from Samar and Leyte to Metro Manila,” Bonoan added.
Mr. Rodrigo Domingo, head of Marikina City Social Welfare Office who brought some 14 staff to augment the manpower of DSWD-NCR, said the job is part of their assistance to the victims and contribution to the government’s efforts of rebuilding the lives of the typhoon victims.
As of December 2, 2013 at 6:00 a.m., a total of 4,655 families or 19,533 individuals have arrived in Metro Manila since November 16, 2013 via the Philippine Air Force C-130 and other means of transportation.
Of these, 3,328 families and 3,583 individuals were sent home to their relatives through the ‘Oplan Hatid’ initiative of volunteers; 3,658 individuals were fetched by their relatives; 11 families and 36 individuals were referred to LGUs; 1,314 individuals went to their relatives on their own; and 139 individuals were brought to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
Families who do not have relatives in Metro Manila were sent to DSWD’s Jose Fabella Center, Nayon ng Kabataan and Reception and Study Center for Children, faith-based and Non-Government Organizations, and at the Tent City in Pasay City for temporary shelter.
As of December 2, a total 51 families and 256 individuals were referred to Jose Fabella Center, 6 individuals at Nayon ng Kabataan, 1 individual at RSCC, and 90 families and 247 individuals at the Tent City. ###