Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian demonstrates to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr how the water filtration kit works in producing potable water during the chief executive’s visit to Typhoon-Julian hit Basco, Batanes on Friday (October 4).
The DSWD Field Office 2-Cagayan Valley distributed water filtration kits from the firm Waves for Water to families affected by Typhoon Julian that severely battered the province of Batanes.
The portable water filtration kit, whose 0.1 micron filters can remove cholera, salmonella, E. Coli, coliform bacteria, includes a bucket adapter filter assembly, drill bit, filter hanger, cleaning plunger and instruction materials.
The portable water filtration system can be deployed to evacuation centers or communities where water sources and distribution system are affected or rendered damaged during natural calamities.
President Marcos encouraged the locals to utilize the filtration kits saying these are safe to use.
Looking on as Secretary Gatchalian explained the water filtration kit system were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, Jr and Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco.
DSWD chief joins PBBM in aid giving to Julian-hit families in Batanes, Ilocos Norte
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr in the distribution of relief and cash assistance to families affected by Super Typhoon (ST) Julian in the island province of Batanes and in Ilocos Norte on Friday (October 4).
“Kaya kami narito ay para matignan kung ano ba talaga ang inyong pangangailangan. Mabuti na lamang na bago dumating yung bagyo ay nakapagdala na kami ng libo-libo na family food packs (FFPs) kaya pagdaan ng bagyo ay nakapag-distribute kaagad,” President Marcos said during the relief aid distribution at the Oval Plaza in the municipality of Basco in Batanes.
Secretary Gatchalian, together with Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Diana Rose Cajipe, oversaw the distribution of 2,000 boxes of FFPs to the affected families.
The DSWD chief also led the financial aid giving, handing out Php3,000 each to some 200 families, under the agency’s Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
“Tapos ngayon ay ginagawa na natin yung mga intake para sa nangangailangan ng AKAP. Kasi pagkatapos ng food packs, [may] iba’t ibang pangangailangan ang pamilya o bawat bahay, kaya kailangan na kaming magbigay ng cash,” the chief executive pointed out.
The DSWD also distributed family water filtration kits that could provide clean water supply to approximately 100 individuals per bucket in one day, according to President Marcos.
“Mayroon din kaming dala na para sa tubig. Yung mga nakikita nyong balde, may filter ‘yan. Kaya yung balde ay lalagyan natin ng tubig, huwag lang maalat, basta tubig na kahit hindi malinis. Paglabas po nyan sa filter ay pwede nang inumin. Sa isang balde, kayang magpainom ng tubig ng isang daang tao sa isang araw,” the President said in his message.
After visiting the province of Batanes, the presidential team conducted an aerial inspection of Ilocos Norte to assess the damages caused by ST Julian in the province.
Following the inspection, President Marcos, together with Secretary Gatchalian and other heads of government agencies, led the distribution of relief and cash assistance to Julian-affected families.
A total of 10,588 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Piddig, Pagudpud, Bangui, and Laoag City received cash assistance ranging from Php3,000 to Php4,000, depending on the assessment of the DSWD social workers.
The financial aid given was under the AKAP and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the DSWD.
The agency also distributed 800 boxes of FFPs to the affected families.
During the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Julian in Ilocos Norte presided over by the President at the Provincial Capitol in Laoag City, Secretary Gatchalian assured the chief executive that the DSWD is ready to deliver more FFPs to Ilocos Norte.
“For Ilocos Norte, we have released, as of yesterday [October 3], 15,757 FFPs. We continuously work with the local officials because we are ready to deploy more, Mr. President. As mentioned a while ago, for the region and for Ilocos Norte, we have a standby of close to 100,000 FFPs before the storm hit and we are constantly augmenting that,” Secretary Gatchalian reported to the President.
Aside from Secretary Gatchalian, other Cabinet secretaries who accompanied the President in both aid distributions were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr.; Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
