In response to the combined impacts of Typhoons Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian went to evacuation centers in Pangasinan and La Union during the first leg of his Northern Luzon visit to lead relief efforts and reinforce coordination with local government units (LGUs).
Accompanied by DSWD Field Office 1 – Ilocos Region (DSWD FO 1) Assistant Regional Director for Operations Anniely J. Ferrer, Assistant Regional Director for Administration Melecio C. Ubilas, Jr., and Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, Secretary Gatchalian set out at Sabangan Elementary School in Bonuan Gueset, an open evacuation center (EC) established in the City since July 22, 2025. During the visit, Secretary Gatchalian personally distributed hygiene kits to 132 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Family Food Packs (FFPs) to 400 affected families, including fisherfolk who remain unable to resume their livelihoods due to the effect of the recent weather disturbances.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian during his visit in Pangasinan and La Union Evacuation Centers
From Pangasinan, he proceeded to the City of San Fernando, La Union, where he was joined by DSWD FO 1 Regional Director Marie Angela S. Gopalan at the ECs in Barangays Poro and Ilocanos Norte to distribute 138 FFPs to IDPs. Child-friendly space (CFS) activities such as drawing and storytelling, were also conducted to help children cope with the effects of displacement.
Secretary Gatchalian also met with La Union Governor Mario Ortega and City of Fernando Mayor Hermenegildo Gualberto discussing continuous coordination to respond to the needs of affected families, and strategies for transitioning from emergency response to early recovery.
He emphasized the Agency’s preparedness to provide immediate support and recovery assistance. “Sa utos ng ating Pangulo, ang DSWD ay nakahandang umagapay sa pangangailangan ng mga evacuees (IDPs), nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa mga Local Government Unit para masigurado na tuloy-tuloy ang daloy ng mga pagkain at iba pang kits na kailangan sa loob ng evacuation centers (Through the order of our President, the DSWD is ready to support the needs of the evacuees (IDPs) we are coordinating with the LGUs to ensure the continuous distribution of food and other kits needed within the evacuation center),” he said.
As of the latest report, DSWD FO 1 has already distributed a total of 87,185 FFPs, 275 ready-to-eat food, and 2,023 non-food items across the region, amounting to PhP62,126,779.62. Of this, Pangasinan received 57,853 Food and Non-Food Items (FNFIs) while La Union received 10,870 FNFIs. As the Ilocos Region continues to recover from the onslaught of the recent typhoons, DSWD FO 1 will continue to working closely with LGUs to make sure affected families are able to recover and rebuild their lives. (by: JC-Angelyn D. Eugenio, Information Officer I, Social Marketing Unit)