Need for more quake drills in local communities: OCD

By MAYA M. PADILLO

DSWD 11 to implement Cash For Work program for quake victims

The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 11) will be implementing the Cash For Work (CFW) program for the earthquake victims of Davao de Oro, according to an official.

In addition to reviving the market in disaster-hit regions, the CFW program gives the affected population the freedom to set their priorities for reestablishing their lives and their dignity.

“Aside from the relief goods na ipanghatag namo, we are also planning to implement Cash For Work program para sa atoang naapektuhan na mga pamilya didto kay sa pagka-karon some roads are not passable. We will involve our affected people in some way makatabang and also at the same time maka-income pud sila kay dili enough ang food packs ang ihatag lang nato,” said Dahlia S. Padillo, assistant director of DSWD 11, during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.

Padillo also assured that DSWD 11 has enough food items as it has augmentation from the national office.

She added that the agency is expecting more than 100,000 food packs coming in not only from the national warehouses but also from the neighboring regions.

She also said DSWD 11 will continue to provide relief goods until the victims can return to their homes.

“Isa pa gina follow namo ang marching order sa atoang Presidente na in times of disaster dapat walay pamilya na magutman. Mao pud na ang gisunod sa DSWD na sa panahon sa disaster naa gyud si DSWD na mu-provide sa mga panginahanglan sa atoang mga victims,” she said.

Padillo said DSWD 11 has constant coordination with the province and municipalities in terms of relief goods requirements.

“We have an agreement na ang munisipyo, mag send sila ug request to the province, ang province ang mu request sa amoa so all our relief goods will be channeled to the provincial office and the province na ang bahala sa distribution ngadto sa kada munisipyo,” she said.

She clarified that DSWD 11 is not providing construction materials to the victims as the agency’s Modified Shelter Assistance will be handled already by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD).

An official of the Office of Civil Defense 11 (OCD 11) admitted on Monday that only a small chunk of the public are familiar with the safe way of evacuation particularly the “duck, cover and hold” safety reminder whenever there is an earthquake.

This is the reason why the OCD 11 has stressed that more drills are needed specifically in the community level.

OCD 11 director Liza Mazo said more knowledge, more information, and more practice on “duck, cover and hold” safety reminder is needed for the public following the series of earthquakes in Davao de Oro.

“Yes, definitely we need more drills. Gusto ko i-commend ang mga bata bright kaayo sila and they follow diligently. SIla yung mag duck, cover and hold kasi regular yung sa school while ang mga mama nagkaratol na ug dagan sa gawas. Sana sa house regular yung parents to join. We do that in the offices. Sa school puwede nila gawin more often than the quarterly kaya mas bright ang mga bata. Yung magpanic normal naman yun specially pag kulang tayo sa kaalaman. Pag hinay ang linog ayaw sa ug dagan,” Mazo said during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.

She added that there is a need to develop public awareness at the community level to equip the FNEED, P10