The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is gearing up for the anticipated La Niña phenomenon starting this June.
The DSWD’s disaster preparedness and response strategies aim to mitigate the potential effects of the wet season.
During a media forum on May 2 at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City, Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao provided details about the preparations.
Significance of the Project
La Niña, characterized by increased rainfall, has historically caused significant disruptions in the Philippines.
The country experiences severe flooding, landslides, and other calamities during this phenomenon, impacting millions of lives and livelihoods.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), La Niña events can bring 20-40% more rainfall than average, leading to widespread flooding and damage.
The urgency of the Buong Bansa Handa project is underscored by recent data on the impact of previous La Niña events:
- Flooding and Landslides: In the 2016 La Niña event, over 1.8 million people were affected, with thousands displaced due to flooding and landslides.
- Agricultural Damage: The agricultural sector suffered losses amounting to PHP 5 billion, affecting farmers’ livelihoods and food security.
- Infrastructure Damage: Public infrastructure, including roads and bridges, incurred damages worth over PHP 3 billion, hindering mobility and access to essential services.
Buong Bansa Handa Project
Framework Agreement and Procurement: Assistant Secretary Dumlao announced that the Buong Bansa Handa project, along with its framework agreement, has been approved.
The procurement process is ongoing to facilitate rapid delivery of assistance once the rainy season begins.
Capacity Building: By establishing robust supply chain mechanisms, the project enhances the DSWD’s capacity to respond to emergencies. The two-pronged approach—government-driven and private sector-driven supply chains—guarantees that relief operations are not only swift but also sustainable.
Supply Chain Mechanisms: The Buong Bansa Handa project will establish two parallel supply chain mechanisms to enhance the DSWD’s capacity to meet the needs of families in disaster-stricken areas.
- Government-Driven Supply Chain: This mechanism will boost the production capacities and processes of the DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Cebu, and warehouse and storage facilities across the 16 DSWD Field Offices.
- Private Sector-Driven Supply Chain: The DSWD will partner with established groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors to leverage their technical expertise and resources.
Sufficient Relief Supplies
Inventory Monitoring: Assistant Secretary Dumlao emphasized the importance of monitoring relief supplies.
The agency maintains that there are enough family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items (NFIs) prepositioned in different warehouses nationwide.
“We have an inventory of all our warehouses—our last-mile facilities, our spokes, to make sure they have sufficient FFPs and NFIs,” Dumlao explained.
As of April 29, the inventory includes:
- 387,124 FFPs in 10 DSWD hubs.
- 602,113 boxes of food packs sent to 66 spokes.
- 545,526 FFPs in 849 last-mile facilities.
Continuous Monitoring: The DSWD monitors the delivery and withdrawal of FFPs and NFIs to see to it that supplies remain sufficient and ready for deployment to affected Local Government Units (LGUs) during the rainy season.
Community Impact
Improved Response Time: The project’s emphasis on efficient supply chain management reduces response time, enabling affected families to receive necessary aid promptly.
This immediate response is important in mitigating the adverse effects of disasters, such as food shortages and lack of shelter.
Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The project also prioritizes the safety and well-being of vulnerable groups, including women and children. By creating safe and equipped evacuation centers, the DSWD provides a secure environment for these individuals during disasters.
Safe Evacuation Centers
Inspection and Coordination: The DSWD is inspecting evacuation centers to see to it that they are safe for evacuees.
Coordination with LGUs and the Department of Education is essential for the safety and protection of affected women and children.
Availability of Evacuation Centers: There are currently 18,069 evacuation centers across the country, ready to provide temporary shelter to internally displaced individuals.
Recent Updates
DSWD Disaster Response Operations Update
DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao addresses reporters at the Thursday Media Forum, discussing El Niño mitigation efforts like Project LAWA and BINHI. She also outlines proactive measures for the upcoming La Niña phenomenon, including the Buong Bansa Handa Project. The forum, hosted by SAS Raymond Robert Burgos and AOS Director Lara Duran, is livestreamed on DSWD’s Facebook account.
DSWD’s Readiness for La Niña: Buong Bansa Handa Project in Motion
DSWD is gearing up for the upcoming La Niña phenomenon, assuring disaster readiness and response strategies are in place. Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao announced the approval of the Buong Bansa Handa project during the Media Forum, emphasizing the swift delivery of aid during the rainy season through ongoing procurement efforts.
DSWD is set to unveil its 24/7 Disaster Response Command Center and the Buong Bansa Handa Project, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary REX Gatchalian. The launch aims to enhance the country’s disaster response system, aligning with the directive to expedite aid delivery to ensure no one is overlooked during emergencies.
Video: 🎥 : 𝐁𝐔𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀: 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐒’ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 (𝐅𝐅𝐏𝐬)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) organized a Suppliers’ Conference to streamline the procurement and bidding process for family food packs (FFPs). The event aimed to leverage the agility of private sectors and strengthen disaster relief preparedness nationwide. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized the importance of collective readiness in disaster preparedness, aligning with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bolster DSWD’s relief and logistics operations.
Conclusion
The DSWD’s proactive measures, through the Buong Bansa Handa project and other programs, aim to provide timely and effective disaster response during the upcoming La Niña season.
By maintaining sufficient relief supplies and safe evacuation centers, the DSWD is committed to supporting affected families and communities.
This preparation reflects the agency’s dedication to disaster resilience and the well-being of Filipinos during challenging times.