The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol, led by Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, has pledged to maintain its robust support for Masbate Province during crises and disasters. This commitment was made during the Media Forum 2024, held on August 8 in the town of Mobo, Masbate.

The Media Forum 2024, attended by various media practitioners from across the province, aimed to enhance the partnership and collaboration between DSWD Bicol and the media, fostering a united effort in public service.

At the forum, DSWD RD Laurio outlined the region’s and province’s achievements for 2024, emphasizing the Department’s crisis intervention and disaster response efforts in Masbate and the broader region.

In Masbate alone, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program has disbursed a total of Php 139 million. This includes Php 7.1 million in cash relief provided to Masbateños facing crisis situations. Additionally, under the Disaster Response Services, DSWD Bicol has delivered Family Food Packs and Non-Food Items worth Php 9.1 million.

These aids have supported families affected by El Niño, inflation, and various disasters including flooding caused by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and the recent Typhoon Carina.

Regional Director Laurio noted that Masbate is particularly vulnerable to calamities. “I was here during the flooding, and we provided Php 5,000 in cash relief to households affected by the floods. We also distributed food packs to families impacted by the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Carina,” he said.

In addition to ongoing support, RD Laurio affirmed DSWD Bicol’s commitment to continuing efforts to assist Masbate with future crises and disasters. Likewise, the agency’s commitment in ensuring that the Masbateños access all the programs and services of the Department.

DSWD Bicol is also promoting two new programs: the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), aimed at alleviating economic hardships for minimum wage earners, and Project LAWA at BINHI, which seeks to combat hunger, alleviate poverty, and address food insecurity and water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and disasters.

DSWD Bicol remains dedicated to its mission of assisting every Filipino through its comprehensive programs and services.