Nanatiling aktibo ang mga linya ng Quick Response Team (QRT) at patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga Local Government Units para sa agarang disaster relief augmentation kung kinakailangan. Sa mga oras na ito, ginaganap ang Disaster Response Operation Briefing sa Regional Operations Center upang malaman ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon sa mga apektadong lugar at matiyak ang kahandaan ng ahensya. #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD

TINGNAN: Loading ng 1,700 family food packs for prepositioning sa LGU Lapinig, Northern Samar. Bilang paghahanda laban sa anumang sakuna o bagyo, palaging sinisigurado ng DSWD Field Office VIII na mayroong sapat na Family Food Packs ang naka-preposition sa ibat-ibang strategic na lokasyon dito sa rehiyon. Ang prepositioning of goods ay isang pamamaraan ng ahensya upang masigurado na laging may naka-antabay na tulong kung sakaling mangailangan ng agarang responde ang mga lokal na pamahalaan. #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: Dineklara ni Regional Director Grace Q. Subong ang activation ng Quick Response Team (QRT) epektibo ngayong araw, November 15, 2024 bilang paghahanda sa possibleng maging epekto ni Severe Tropical Storm “Pepito” sa rehiyon. Ang QRT ay naka-duty at makikipag-ugnayan sa Local Government Units, DSWD field staff, at iba pang disaster response agencies para mangalap ng impormasyon at tumulong sa pagpapadali ng disaster relief augmentation kung kinakailangan. #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD

DSWD Field Office 8, together with its partners in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), recently deployed two composite teams in key locations in Eastern and Northern Samar. These teams consist of staff from members of the NDRRMC, including DSWD, OCD, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and other partner agencies. According to DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong, the ability to communicate is key during disaster response operations. “We already have staff on the ground, but there is a need for us to go to these provinces to establish communications. During the onset of disasters, communications become difficult. That is why we are deploying our Mobile Command Center. Because if we have communications systems in place, we would be able to coordinate faster with staff on the ground.” The MCC houses satellite communications systems, which can be deployed in any disaster-affected area and can be used to gather information and coordinate disaster response efforts. #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII, through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), conducted a Semestral Regional Action Center (RAC) with the Landbank of the Philippines Eastern Visayas Branches Group, on November 7, 2024 at the Ironwood Hotel, Tacloban City. DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Antonio Dolaota, Division Chief Paula Unay graced the activity. Also in attendance were the LBP Eastern Visayas Branches Group Executive Assistant Jannette Superable and the different Branch Managers from across the six provinces in the region. In the meeting, the DSWD and LANDBANK discussed strategies on strengthening the distribution of cash grants to the intended Pantawid beneficiaries. LANDBANK, as the primary distribution arm of the government’s social protection programs, ensures that cash grants are distributed on time and efficiently. Further, during the activity, the department held an Appreciation Day to all the partner LANDBANK branches . Dir. Grace Subong extended her gratitude to the LANDBANK for their valuable support and assistance to the program in the efficient delivery of cash grants which translated to improving the level of well-being of Pantawid beneficiaries in the Eastern Visayas Region. #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD credits: DSWD 4Ps Cash Grants Unit

NOW HAPPENING: Ongoing Redemption of the Walang Gutom Program in Tacloban City, Leyte. The Walang Gutom Program is a flagship program of the national government that aims to address involuntary hunger by providing beneficiaries with access to monetary-based assistance and inviting them to become more productive citizens. #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII renewed its partnership with the ten Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement during the Civil Society Organization (CSO) organization on November 5-6, 2024, at the Ironwood Hotel, Tacloban City. The CSOs which renewed their MOA are the Save the Children Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, Auxiliary Chaplains for Transformation Philippines Inc. (Actphil), Cebuana Lhuillier, Metro Ormoc Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc., University of the Philippines – Manila School of Health Sciences, Biliran State Province University (BiPSU), Mardel International Management and Services, Inc., and Cocogen Insurance Inc. Before the MOA Signing, the Civil Society Organizations were assessed through their accomplishments and plans for the provision of programs and services which aim to contribute to the overall well-being of the Pantawid beneficiaries in the region. These programs and services are anchored on the four (4) Engagement Framework: Bantay, Gabay, Kaagapay & Tulay. Further, during the activity, the department also inked a new partnership with the Northwest Samar State University (NWSSU). The NWSSU pledged to provide access to Micro-Enterprise Financing and Technical Assistance, Market Linkage and Product Promotion Skills Training and Upscaling. Also in attendance were the Samar Crusade Against Poverty, Inc., Leyte South Multipurpose Cooperative, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative and Health Care, and the Plan International Pilipinas. DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong, Assistant Director for Operations Antonio Dolaota, and Division Chief Paula Unay graced the activity. Also present in the activity were the six 4Ps Provincial Links. Further, the department held an Appreciation Activity to all the CSOs in recognizing their exemplary contribution in maximizing the impact of social welfare programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). #BawatBuhayMahalagaSaDSWD