By Jennifer P. Rendon
Whether rebels or civilians, they are entitled to and will be given help and services.
This was the statement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region 6 (DSWD-6) as it assured that government services would be extended to families displaced by the police operations in the hinterland villages of Tapaz, Capiz on Dec 30, 2020.
DSWD-6 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Delia Bagolcol said 66 families comprised of 300 persons temporarily left their home after the gun and explosives raids in seven villages in Tapaz.
The raids killed nine persons while ten were arrested.
The displaced families stayed at the Tapaz Civic Center.
But the latest report claimed that around 22 persons have been staying at the temporary evacuation center while some took shelter at their relatives’ houses.
“We’re offering our condolences to the affected families,” Bagolcol said in a statement, as she assured that the DSWD-6 will be extending services that the ‘evacuees’ need.
She cited that the DSWD is one with the government in its campaign to end local armed conflict.
“This is not about the armed forces alone. That’s why we at the DSWD — CPP-NPA man sila or civilian, they will be given help,” she said.
But as a policy, the assistance that will be given during disasters – natural or otherwise – mandate the DSWD as the national social welfare arm of the government to be responsible for resource augmentation.
The local government unit should be the first to respond.
“If indi nila kaya, pag nag request sila, that’s the time that they will be given resource augmentation,” she said.
Bagolcol said she’s been closely coordinating with local social welfare offices in Tapaz.
She added they have standby funds for the affected families.
They also sent disaster and social welfare staff to do psycho-social first aid to the affected families, especially the children.
The DSWD is now also processing the burial assistance of P25K each to the families of the nine slain persons.
“If there is a need to transfer the cadaver to another locality, further financial assistance will be given,” she assured.
They also have 132 food packs (2 packs for each family) on standby that would last 4-5 days, including hygiene kits.
But so far, the local government unit of Tapaz has not requested for the assistance.
“We assure the LGU that the DSWD has enough for this,” Bagolcol said. They are also ready for medical assistance capped at Php150,000.
“Ready na. Wala pili. Sila man mga Pilipino nga dapat buligan, kay sila man mga imol, napigos, marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the society,” she said as she again stressed their emergency response readiness.
