CEBU CITY, Cebu, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- Local chief executives of Cebu recently participated in an interfacing dialogue with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rolando Joselito Bautista and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Usec. Jonathan Malaya. 

According to DSWD-7 Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana, the dialogue aimed to provide local officials with updates on the agency’s response operations for Typhoon Odette and the various projects that would respond to the needs of the affected communities.

Assistance that has already been released to local government units (LGUs) since the start of relief operations including food packs, tents and laminated sacks, as augmentation support to requesting LGUs, said the social welfare and development official. 

During the activity, DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova discussed the financial assistance provisions for early recovery.

Based on the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 5 of DILG, DSWD, and the Department of National Defense, the national government, through the Department of Budget and Management will download financial assistance funds to LGUs and eligible beneficiaries identified as low income and severely affected. 

After the dialogue in Argao, Bautista led the distribution of financial aid in Balamban, one of the highly-affected areas in the province.

Bautista assured that the national government will continue to conduct response operations and provide those affected with the necessary help. (JSME/PIA7 with reports from DSWD-7)