The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) remind the public of their responsibilities for their safety during onslaught of disasters during a press conference held in Calamba City, Laguna recently as part of the National Disaster Consciousness Month celebration.

According to OCD IV-A Assistant Regional Director Elvis Cruz, the National Disaster Consciousness Month, with the theme “Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan,” is a means of the government to emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness for the safety of the citizens.

“Malaki ang tungkulin ng bawat mamamayan sa kanilang kaligtasan sa mga sakuna. Kailangan nilang maging handa sa pamamagitan ng pagkalap ng iba’t ibang impormasyon tungkol sa mga sakuna. Sa pagtaas ng kaalaman ng bawat isa, mas madaling makakaligtas sa mga sakuna,” OCD IV-A Regional Director Vicente Tomazar said in a separate interview.

Being the agency for disaster response, which ensures the affected population’s basic subsistence needs are met through relief operations, the DSWD disclosed the agency’s preparedness to disasters that may strike the region.

“The DSWD has 5,000 standby family food packs (containing rice and canned goods) in its warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. The office is also identifying local government units that can be a hub for relief goods since the DSWD is increasing its standby family food packs to 30,000,” shared Lucia Almeda, social welfare officer of DSWD CALABARZON.

The DSWD has also recently purchased a wing van with a capacity of 2,000 family food packs to ensure faster relief operations during disasters.

Further, both agencies acknowledge the role of the media in disseminating disaster-related information, which can help both the government and the general public in ensuring safety on times of disasters.***