DSWD helps fire-hit families in Tawi-Tawi
DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian has ordered the Field Office–9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) to give immediate assistance to some 1,000 individuals affected by the big fire in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi last Thursday.
Gatchalian ordered Regional Director Riduan P. Hadjimuddin to coordinate with the local government unit (LGU) of Bongao for the food and non-food items (FNFI) that will be given to the fire-affected constituents.
In his report to the DSWD chief, Hadjimuddin said the FO-9’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) has already prepared 1,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs); 1,000 sleeping kits; 1,000 family kits; 1,000 hygiene kits and 150 modular tents.
“We have already coordinated with the OCD (Office of Civil Defense) for the transporting of these goods to Bongao,” Director Hadjimuddin said in his report.
The fire, which started at 1:40 p.m. Thursday, razed some 100 houses along Kahapon St., Barangay Poblacion in Bongao, which is part of Tawi-Tawi.
“The DRMD coordinated with the MSWDO (Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office) for psychosocial support for the affected families,” Director Hadjimuddin said.
The DSWD regional director also reported that the Bongao LGU has set up a community kitchen for the 100 families affected by the fire.
Region 9 or the Zamboanga Peninsula Region covers Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City and the component city of Isabela. The regional center is Pagadian City.
The DSWD’s Field Office 9 has operational jurisdiction over the provinces of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.
