Marcos wants faster response to individuals in crisis, updating of 4Ps list

In his first State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to expand and intensify aid programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Marcos tasked DSWD field offices with the early delivery of family food packs and non-food essentials to local government units.

“Utos ko sa DSWD ang mabilis na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga biktima ng kalamidad at mga iba’t ibang krisis,” Marcos said.

“Ang mga field office nila ay inatasan na maagang maglagak ng family food packs at non-food essentials sa mga LGU, bago pa man manalasa ang ano mang kalamidad,” he added.

The president said the government seeks to establish more operation centers and warehouses, especially in far-flung areas, for the storage of relief goods.

According to Marcos, his administration will ensure good coordination between the DSWD and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development for the implementation of the Emergency Shelter Assistance Program for victims.

Further, he said they will intensify the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

“Hindi natin papahirapan ang mga biktima ng krisis na dudulog sa ahensiya. Gagawin nating simple ang proseso ng paghingi at pagpaparating ng tulong. Dahil hindi dapat dinadagdagan pa ang hirap na nararanasan ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said.

Marcos said the government will also ensure that the list of beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program will be clean and valid.

He said more than 1 million beneficiaries have received aid so far.

“Kaugnay nito ay inutusan ko ang DSWD na pag-ibayuhin pa ang pag-repaso ng listahan upang maitutok ang pamimigay ng sapat na ayuda sa mga lubos na nangangailangang pamilya,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the supplemental feeding program for children in child development centers will continue and will be intensified in 2023.

Marcos said programs addressing violence against women and their children will also be strengthened while funds for residential care centers and non-residential care centers for vulnerable sectors and persons with disabilities will be ensured.—LDF, GMA News