Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday highlighted the importance of the whole-of-government approach in the speedy delivery of relief goods and services to disaster-affected families across the country.

Gatchalian said the local government units (LGUs) are considered to be the first line of defense in disaster response, but the DSWD is committed and prepared to augment and send additional assistance LGUs may need to ensure the welfare of vulnerable Filipinos during calamities and disasters.

“Dahil maganda ang koordinasyon ng whole-of-government approach natin, nasusubaybayan natin yung response. Complementary tayo lagi LGUs (Because of our fine coordination with our whole-of-government approach, we are able to supervise our response. We are always complementary to the LGUs),” Gatchalian said in a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) interview with veteran broadcaster Mike Abe aired over PTV-4.

“Kailangan ko lang ulit-ulitin na ang disaster response ay primary role ng LGUs. Pero nauunawaan ng ating Pangulo na mayroon tayong mga LGU na medyo maliliit ang kapasidad. Kaya tayo tumutulong sa pamamagitan ng pag-augment ng kanilang mga resources (I just to keep on saying that disaster response is a primary role of LGUs. But the President understands that we have LGUs that have small capacity. That’s why we are helping by augmenting their resources,” he added.

To enhance its capacity in meeting the needs of families in various disaster-stricken areas, the DSWD launched the Buong Bansa Handa Program in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that government aid is immediately dispatched to disaster-hit communities.

The Buong Bansa Handa Program employs two parallel supply chain mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response.

The first mechanism features a national and local government-driven supply chain that will improve the production capacities and processes of the DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Cebu, and warehouse and storage facilities across the 16 DSWD Field Offices.

For the second mechanism, Gatchalian said the DSWD partnered with private agencies such as large and small groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors to leverage on their technical expertise and resources to create a private sector-driven supply chain.

Under these partnerships, the DSWD aims to achieve a more effective and reliable supply chain, ensuring comprehensive coverage and timely assistance to affected families in all disaster-affected areas.

Another initiative in disaster response efforts of the DSWD is digitalization, Gatchalian said.

Earlier this year, the DSWD inaugurated its Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), a 24/7 command center that will serve as a central hub for disaster monitoring, reporting, and coordination of preparedness and response efforts.

The DRCC utilizes advanced information and communication equipment/assets to ensure the seamless collaboration between the DSWD Central Office, DSWD Field Offices (FOs), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member-agencies, and other stakeholders. (PNA)