(Photo courtesy ogf PIA)
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided food assistance and psychosocial support to 147 indigenous families affected by an armed encounter in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.
The DSWD MIMAROPA distributed Family Food Packs (FFPs) worth Php 95,411 on October 20 in coordination with the Bulalacao municipal government.
The beneficiaries came from Sitio Bagao, Badyang, and Tabtabong in Barangay San Roque, where an armed encounter occurred on October 14.
Aside from food assistance, the agency deployed its Quick Response Team (QRT) on October 15 to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to affected residents.
The intervention aimed to help families manage emotional distress and address their immediate psychosocial needs following the incident.
DSWD MIMAROPA Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Allyp Albert Baybayan assured affected communities that the agency would continue delivering assistance to support their recovery.
“Patuloy nating titiyakin na makararating ang kinakailangang tulong sa mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng armadong tunggalian. Sa pamamagitan ng pamamahagi ng Family Food Packs at pakikipagtulungan sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Bulalacao, layunin nating matugunan ang kanilang pangunahing pangangailangan at masuportahan ang kanilang pagbangon,” Baybayan said.
He emphasized that government assistance should address not only the immediate food requirements of displaced or affected families but also their emotional and psychological well-being.
“Hindi lamang pagkain ang mahalagang maihatid sa mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng ganitong pangyayari; mahalaga ring mabigyan sila ng psychosocial support. Patuloy ang DSWD MIMAROPA sa paghahatid ng serbisyong kumikilala sa kapakanan at dignidad ng bawat pamilya, lalo na ng mga katutubong komunidad na nangangailangan ng suporta sa panahon ng pagsubok,” he added.
The DSWD MIMAROPA said it would maintain close coordination with local government units to ensure the timely delivery of relief assistance and other necessary services to communities affected by emergencies.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to helping vulnerable families, particularly indigenous communities, recover from the effects of armed conflict while ensuring their welfare and dignity are protected.
