BAGUIO CITY– The Department of Social and Development Cordillera Field Office (DSWD–CAR) has set up a donation desk for the people in Cagayan Valley who were affected by the massive flooding during the passage of Typhoon Ulysses last week.
For those who want to donate, the donation desk is located at the DSWD-CAR regional office along North Drive, here or they can coordinate with the local DSWD offices in their respective areas.
DSWD–CAR also encourages donors to opt for non–perishable food products such as canned goods, ready to eat foods that do not need water for cooking, bottled drinking water, new clothes and other non–food items such as mats, blankets, tents and hygiene kits.
“We would already like to extend our gratitude to all those who are interested to provide donations to the families affected by typhoon Ulysses not just in the Cordillera Administrative Region but also in the nearby regions especially in Cagayan Region. Our office is open for donations such as brand new clothes, canned goods and other ready to eat food, drinking water, sleeping and hygiene essentials. Your donations will not just help a family, it will remind them of the true spirit of bayanihan which the Cordillerans are always known for”, DSWD – CAR Regional Director Leo Quintilla said.
Meanwhile, DSWD – CAR warns the public to be careful of groups or individuals who are asking for donations for calamity victims. Always ask for solicitation permits which DSWD or its local counterparts provide to individuals or groups that are interested to conduct fund raising activities as mandated by Presidential Decree 1564.
The provision of permit aims to safeguard donors as well as potential beneficiaries from abuse by implementing guidelines and sanctions related to the conduct of fund raising activities and handling of funds gathered as a result of such activities.
“We would like to ask the public to be cautious in providing their donations especially to individuals and groups claiming to help the affected communities. They can ask for the solicitation permits to ensure the authenticity of fund raising activities”, Quintilla said.
The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has already put into motion OPLAN Tulong Cagayan which aims to provide augmentation and technical support to the Cagayan region. As the CRDRRMC’s vice chair for Disaster Response, DSWD–CAR also led the provision of assistance in terms of food and non–food items.
To date, DSWD–CAR already provided 2,600 Family Food Packs for Cagayan hauled from their reserves in their satellite warehouses in Kalinga and Apayao, in partnership with the 503rd Brigade of the Philippine Army in Tabuk City, Kalinga and the Provincial Government of Apayao. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR with reports from DSWD–CAR
