DSWD taps Cebu NGOs to help in disaster preparedness

Participants of the MOA signing held on Thursday at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). | DSWD-7 photo

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC), entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with five non-government organizations that will provide volunteers to help in the repacking of family food packs (FFPs) and/or non-food items (NFIs) that are intended for the communities affected by disasters or calamities.

“Akong ipaabot ngadto sa tanan ang kinasing-kasing nga pasalamat sa inyong paghalad sa inyong kaugalingon aron kita magkatambayayong sa katuyuan nga matagaan og pagtagad ang mga nanginahanglan labi og sa pagkaon atol sa mga katalagman,” DSWD Field Office VII Assistant Regional Director for Operations Juanito Cantero said in a message which he delivered after the MOA signing on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the VDRC in Barangay Tingub, Mandaue City.

Cantero acted as a witness to the MOA signing activity.  Its signatories were officials of the Traffic Assistance Group (TAG7), Philippine Guardian Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI-MVSLR), Community Action Force (CAF 7), Blasert Force 568, Inc. (BFFI), and 1984 Guardian Brotherhood Inc. (1984 GBI).

The MOA institutionalizes the partnership between the DSWD and the above-mentioned NGOs for the purpose of resource sharing.

This will also optimize and ensure the prompt delivery of social welfare services to communities affected by calamities or disasters and the effective and efficient implementation of various humanitarian programs of the government.

Family food packs

Cantero said the VDRC aims to repack and stock at least 100,000 FFPs and raw materials equivalent to 150,000 FFPs at any given time to help mitigate the impact of disasters on the lives of people.

Engr. Irish Flor Yaranon, VDRC chief administrative officer, urge Cebuanos to remain united and prepared to respond to any challenges that may come their way.

At the same time, Yaranon also expressed her gratitude to their partner NGOs.

Yaranon said the MOA signing serves as a testament to the unending collaboration and the vital role that their partners play in times of crisis or in the face of adversity.

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