DSWD food, non food

relief, not automatic

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL, (PIA)—Unlike what most would think, accessing the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in food and other forms of relief is not automatic.

Based on the DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 24, series of 2024 or the Enhanced Omnibus guidelines on food and non-food items and logistics management of disaster response operations, the DSWD observes a tiered response in making its help available to the needs of affected LGUS.

In essence, the DSWD resources would be there in augmentation to already deplete LGU disaster resources, and a request for augmentation from the affected LGU has been received, according to the MC.

Based on DSWD Field Offices’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and citizens’ charter checklists, below are the typical requirements:

Official Request Letter from the LGU’s Local Chief Executive (LCE) addressed to the DSWD Field Office.

The Official request shall be accompanied by a Disaster/Incident Report or Situational Report showing the number of affected families, affected areas, damage assessment, evacuation status, and other key details that would facilitate the response.

The DSWD can act using any of the following documents in the official request: i With the request: Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Communications (DROMIC), the Provincial, City or Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office Situational Report, Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA), Validation Reports from P/C/MDRRMOs, Barangay Officials or Camp Managers or Validation report from the Provincial, City or Municipal Action Teams.ng reports or documents accompanying the request.

Key details would include a Master List of Affected Families (beneficiaries) or certified list of disaster-affected households, often tied to evacuation centers, but does not necessarily exclude those remaining in their homes.

And to ascertain that the DSWD augmentation is a back-up for depleted local resources, the request has to be accompanied by a Certification or proof that local calamity funds or LGU resources are insufficient or depleted, compelling augmentation.

The request from the LGU could also come with a Distribution/Relief Implementation Plan, something that shows how the LGU will distribute the food packs/NFIs.

Form these, the DSWD reviews, validates and assesses the request, approves, the DSWD and the LGU jointly helps in the relief distribution.

Here, a Delivery Receipt and Relief Distribution Sheet (RDS) complete with photo documentation during the distribution would be needed for government monitoring. (PIAbohol)

PROVINCIAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE mobilizes its personnel, aided by volunteers in packing disaster relief funded by its own quick response funds. Once depleted, the LGUS can request for relief augmentation from the national DSWD. (PIAbohol)