DSWD recently shared its experiences with the distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) here in Region VIII, during a recently-held seminar hosted by World Vision.
This two-day seminar, entitled Urban Programming in Emergencies, featured representatives from various non-government organizations, local government units, other government organizations, and the DSWD who shared their experiences and several other points regarding these organizations’ response to disasters.
Theo Felices, staff of the DSWD’S Disaster Response and Management Unit (DReaMU), presented several opportunities for improvement regarding Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and the solutions implemented to address these concerns.
He told that through the DReAMU, Project Development Officers have conducted validation at municipalities with grievances and have resolved issues by opening lines of communication between local chief executives (LCEs), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDOs), barangay captains, and the complainants.
DSWD has also issued memoranda to the concerned LGUs to resolve issues of unliquidated funds or delayed pay-outs. Monitoring teams were also sent out to assist in administrative preparations (such as documentary requirements) and pay-outs.
Also featured was the state of disaster response and management here in Tacloban. According to Tacloban City DRRMO Ildebrando Bernadas, we are growing after typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan).
After the super typhoon, advancements have been made with regards to disaster response. He emphasized the value of participative disaster response where the regular citizen is involved in the process.
This includes trainings and drills conducted at the barangay level and a Community Climate Guide and Response Hotline so that ordinary citizens can keep track of emergency incidents such as inclement weather, fire, typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes. It also gives access to government services such as evacuation alerts, and that
of the police and the Tacloban Rescue Unit (TACRU).#
