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DSWD Region VIII Director Restituto Macuto, poses with their agency's exhibit on Disaster Response, minutes before the launching program held recently at the Robinson's Place - Tacloban.
DSWD Region VIII Director Restituto Macuto, poses with their agency’s exhibit on Disaster Response, minutes before the launching program held recently at the Robinson’s Place – Tacloban.

In his speech during the recent opening of the National Disaster Consciousness Month,  DSWD Regional Director Restituto Macuto said,  that “we do not look at victims of disaster as mere recipients of aid,  but as partners of humanitarian assistance.”

He further emphasized that the DSWD,  as lead social protection agency,  is focused on undertaking  disaster preparedness activities, rather than creating dependency on assistance among disaster victims.

Director Macuto cited DSWD programs for disaster victims such as the Emergency Shelter Assistance,  Food-for-work and Cash-for-Work schemes,  Core Shelter Assistance Project,  and Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Quoting from a line,  he said,  “we cannot stop natural disasters, but we can arm ourselves with knowledge:  so many lives wouldn’t be lost if there was enough DISASTER PREPAREDNESS!

On the other hand,  Director Macuto mentioned that  the convergence  of the agency’s three flagship programs and making it disaster – sensitive has become an effective tool in making households more resilient to disasters. These programs are the conditional cash transfer program dubbed as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,  the community driven development program or KALAHI CIDSS NCDDP,  and the livelihood support program thru the Sustainable Livelihood Program. #