Caraga-  The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Caraga provided augmentation assistance with a total of 23,775 family food packs amounting to 9, 746, 838. 00 to the four provinces namely:

Agusan del Norte – 13, 200 family food packs with a total amount of Php 5,323,104. 00; Agusan del Sur – 4,735 family food packs with a total amount of Php 5,323,104. 00; Surigao del Sur – 5, 700 family food packs with  a total amount of Php2, 384, 424. 00; Surigao del Norte – 500 family food packs  with total amount of Php 209, 160.00

Of the total number of population affected in the region, Tropical Storm Seniang affected 6 cities and 42 municipalities with 243 barangays with 30, 498 families displaced consisting 136, 184 individuals. To date, of the 348 ECs , 345 were already closed only 3 ECs are still open.

DSWD 13 Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli said that the field office has standby fund and has enough stockpile of family food packs to augment the LGUs based upon request. She further emphasized that in order to ensure provision of such assistance it should come with the proper documents.

It can be recalled that during the devolution in 1992, LGUs have been tasked to serve as frontlines in emergency situation but DSWD will still provide technical assistance and augmentation.

The implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991, also known as the Local Government Code prompted the national government to redirect the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s functions                  and operations.

         In 1998, Pres. Estrada signed Executive Order No. 15 “Redirecting the Functions and Operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development” to strengthen the DSWD’s repositioning efforts that began soon           after the implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991.

        In 2003, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 221 amending Executive Order No. 15 which defined the Department’s mandate which is to provide assistance to local government units                         (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), other national government agencies (NGAs), people’s organizations (POs) and members of civil society in effectively implementing programs, projects, and services             that will alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families and communities for an improved quality of life as well as implement statutory and specialized programs which are directly lodged with         the Department and/or not yet devolved to LGUs.

        Chapter I, Section 17 of the Local Government Code stipulates that on basic services and facilities, the local government units (LGUs) shall endeavour to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and                     discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved to them pursuant to this Code.

        Republic Act No. 101211 otherwise known as Philippines disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 also provides that not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set                   aside as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) to support disaster risk management activities like pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving                  rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post disaster activities and for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance. ### ( DSWD FO Caraga)###