DSWD to provide LGUs with additional food packs, aid for distribution

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would provide additional food packs and other non-food aid to local government units (LGUs) for distribution to families in need amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 threat, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said Friday.

“Iyong LGUs po ang nagpo-provide ng immediate assistance sa kanilang mga constituents. But the DSWD stands ready to provide augmentation to their resources, both in food packs and non-food items, as well as livelihood assistance,” Dumlao said during the Laging Handa press briefing.

“Kailangan lang po mag request sa aming field offices. Nakikipagugnayan rin po kami sa mga LGUs for distribution strategies and distribution points para ma-mitigate po ang pag spread ng virus,” Dumlao added.

Each DSWD food pack contained rice, assorted canned goods, coffee, and energy drinks - enough food for a family of five for two days.

As for those needing medical and burial assistance, Dumlao said that the younger members of the household could reach out to DSWD field offices and bring the necessary documents to secure government aid.

Dumlao also emphasized that the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer program would be able to get their payouts, provided that they coordinated with their respective parent leaders or municipal links so that the claiming of benefits would still observe social distancing.

As of March 19, the Philippines had at least 217 COVID-19 cases. Of this number,17 had died while eight had recovered.

The Philippines had 380 persons under investigation and 4,929 persons under monitoring, as of March 19. The Health Department, however, was only able to test 1,172 individuals thus far.

As this developed, the Department of Health was looking into designating the Philippine General Hospital in Manila and the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan as exclusive facilities that would cater to patients with COVID-19.  — DVM, GMA News