THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI will always respect the right of the rallyists to peaceful assembly.

The camping out of Pamanggas outside the Field Office compound since Monday until May 27, 2016 is a right which we cannot snatch away from them.

We, however, would like to stress the following points:

• We belie their allegations that we have not released even a single food pack in the course of eight months. This is not true. We would like to set the record straight. We have released P7.6 million-worth of food packs numbering to 21,292 already.

• The response to crisis and disasters remains as the primary responsibility of the Local Government Units. DSWD augments the resources of the LGUs when they express for the need.

• We have already communicated to the LGUs to submit to us their proposal and validated list as this is our reference in releasing food packs for the victims. So far, Oton LGU has completed its proposal and masterlist. We already have a schedule for the releasing of goods as we have coordinated with the locality.

• The rest of the LGUs have yet to submit to us the validated list. We continue on following up with them to submit the documents. Much as we want to release the food packs, we can only release to LGUs with the list because we are bound to observe guidelines in consonance with the principle to judiciously use government resources.

• We denounce to the strongest terms the use of minors in the protest actions. They should be with their families at home and enjoying their childhood. Instead, they are exposed to heat, rain and danger as they are utilized to collect donations in the road.

• The DSWD has available goods anytime that the LGUs can submit their list.

We assure the people of Panay Island that DSWD has enough food packs, more than 50,000 currently, to augment the resources of the LGUs to help the victims of El Nino.

Along with the rest of the government, both LGUs and other agencies, DSWD recognizes the urgency of responding to the situation of hunger affecting the poor. We are ready to augment the LGUs.

REBECCA P. GEAMALA
Regional Director
DSWD Field Office VI