The DSWD Operation Center has started helping affected individuals of the impending closure of Boracay Island.

“Those who are affected by the closure of the island can go to our Operation Center. We have social workers there who are ready to listen and help,” said Rebecca P. Geamala, regional director.

The OpCen, located at Balabag Plaza, has so far assisted 24 non-residents of Boracay and referred to the LGU residents for proper intervention.

According to Luna Moscoso, Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Division Chief,most of walk-in clients expressed their needs on transportation assistance, livelihood and counseling.

Since April 7, the OpCen has started in its operations, catering to mostly non-residents. The office is open from 8a.m. to 5p.m. but Moscoso said that when the situation calls for, the agency can extend a 24/7 service and add more social workers to man the center.

The DSWD is currently assigning social workers in the center by tapping expertise of field workers from different municipalities of Aklan on a shifting basis.

RESPONSE

Director Geamala said that so far, the documents for transportation assistance was already forwarded for assessment and payment, depending on the need of the clients.

“We will immediately provide the transportation needs. But we will not leave them from there. We will refer and monitor them in the places where they will be going to ensure a holistic approach to their cases,” she said.

She also said that as to the livelihood, “we will wait for the revalidated list of the Local Government Unit (LGU) to ensure that those who need help most will be the ones who will receive the aid. We will also check if what livelihood project would suit them.”

Initially, the DSWD mulls on implementing cash for work or food for work. It is the provision of cash or food in exchange of the work rendered. The scheme is implemented as an immediate intervention during disasters, whether man-made or natural.

PSYCHO-SOCIAL SUPPORT

Reports also showed one victim of psycho-social disturbance because of fear of being uprooted in her house.

The LGU has already provided the counseling.

“We are monitoring the actions of the LGU. Should they need our augmentation, we can help through technical and resource augmentation,” she said.

INQUIRIES

Ma. Lourdes Zubiaga and Jinnor Nagrama who both manned the OpCen on April 16 revealed that there were also many who went to the center to ask if the agency is releasing calamity assistance.

“We told them that as of this time, there is no calamity fund. But we have our regular funds that could aid them. We made sure that we listened to them because we know that listening is very important especially with the kind of situation they are in,” said Zubiaga. /dswd6