DSWD, private foundation link up for disaster response

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will work with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) in its disaster response operations as it seeks to improve response capabilities during times of disaster.

The DSWD and the PDRF signed a memorandum of understanding for the mutual cooperation of the two agencies in disaster response.

Under the partnership, the PDRF, which counts on the support of the country’s top conglomerates, commits to provide capacity augmentation assistance to DSWD, specifically on disaster operations such as disaster response surge capacity building; interventions along disaster resiliency; and public service continuity for DSWD programs.

The PDRF also has corresponding programs in five key sectors created for post-disaster recovery: shelter, livelihood, education, environment, and water infrastructure – sanitation and health.

“Alone, DSWD can only do so much, but with our significant partner, the private sector like the PDRF joining us… everything is possible,” Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo said.

“This partnership is a significant milestone in the department’s disaster reconstruction initiatives as the PDRF has long established its unstinting contribution to the country and resilience in extending its arms to help the disadvantaged population,” she added.

Prior to the signing of the MOU, the PDRF has already been helping the DSWD with its disaster operations, such as when the group provided transportation to deliver food packs to families displaced by the Mayon Volcano eruption, and to those hit by recent storms in Pampanga and Pangasinan.  Marawi also benefitted from medical and educational support.