SECRETARY Rex Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended a total of P 2.676 million worth of relief assistance to 622 families affected by the April 26 fire that razed a residential area in Barangay 22-Quadra, Cavite City.
Gatchalian, in coordination with the local government led by Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla, ordered the Field Office IV-A (CALABARZON) to provide the much needed assistance to the fire-affected families who were rendered homeless.
DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Diana Rose Cajipe and special assistant to the Secretary Marlon Alagao earlier led the distribution of assistance to the affected families who were temporarily sheltered at the Ladislao Diwa Elementary School.
The two DSWD officials were assisted by Revilla and Cavite City Mayor Denver Chua.
The assistance provided by DSWD included family food packs worth more than P383,865, and non-food items, such as kitchen and hygiene kits, amounting to more than P 2.292 million.
“The local government unit can rest assured of DSWD’s immediate response to extend assistance to those affected by the fire incident. We are monitoring and will continuously coordinate with the LGU on this),” Cajipe said.
Remulla, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the DSWD for sending immediate aid to his constituents. In his social media post, Remulla said, “…thank you very much to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian because when I talked to him after the fire broke out, he immediately responded to our request for assistance.”
Close coordination with the Cavite City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) was also undertaken by DSWD to monitor the status of the internally displaced people.
Through its Field Office CALABARZON, DSWD will also provide financial aid to the affected families through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The 622 affected families or a total of 2,027 individuals are now temporarily sheltered in three evacuation centers provided by the Cavite City local government.
Gatchalian said in a statement said the DSWD will continue to monitor the situation of the affected families to assess other interventions needed which the Department can respond to.