DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman together with DILG Secretary Mar Roxas had ocular visit to Typhoon Egay victims in the City of San Fernando today (7July 2015) to assess their needs and of other affected nearby towns. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) together with the officials of Provincial Government of La Union and Local Chief Executives of San Juan, Bacnotan, and Bauang presented their situation where the Secretaries provided inputs relative to rescue, relief, early recovery and rehabilitation/reconstruction.

Sec. Soliman assured the availability of 30,000 family food packs to be distributed to TS Egay victims in the next 2 days. Afterwhich, the team proceeded to San Fernando North Central School to meet the affected families and to distribute relief goods.

The relief goods will help the typhoon victims meet their basic needs since regular income-earning activities were disrupted and they are still recovering from the effects of TS Egay.

Within the week, DSWD will also be coordinating with its local counterparts to prepare project proposals for the implementation of Cash for Work projects to restore the damaged houses or community structures needing repair.
For the laudable contribution of the first disaster responders, the 2 cabinet members also agreed to release relief packs especially for those who conducted rescue and road clearing operations during the onslaught of TS Egay.
Aside from relief goods, Local Chief Executives present also requested restoration of eroded slopes, desiltation of water tributaries, purchase of generator sets and PNP vehicles.

Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo and Quick Action Response Teams (QuART) continue the overall coordination with Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on distribution of relief augmentation and assessment of needs for the rehabilitation projects.

Coping with the needed number of relief goods, DSWD warehouse is packed with volunteers from the Union Christian College and residents from Urayong, Bauang, La Union, and staff from the Regional Program Management Offices of Pantawid Pamilya and Sustainable Livelihood Program. (by: Iryn D. Cubangbang, Information Oficer II)