Conflict-displaced families return home, get DSWD assistance

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 26, 2024): Conflict-displaced families return home, get DSWD assistance  (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

About 160 families, composed of 600 individuals, from the hinterlands of Escalante City and Toboso, who were among those temporarily displaced by a series of encounters between government forces and New People’s Army rebels, finally returned to their respective homes on February 23.

Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, Civil Military Operations chief of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, disclosed that the security situation gradually stabilized, following a series of encounters on Feb. 21 and 22, in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City.

Javines, however, said 53 families and 174 individuals are still staying at Pinapugasan barangay proper in Escalante City.

He said there have been no more reported sightings of armed rebels, signaling a positive shift towards peace and normalcy. However, Javines said the Army continues its diligent clearing operations to ensure the area remains secure.

About 268 families, composed of 1,092 individuals, were provided with P971,364 worth of assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“The DSWD Field Office VI is one in heart with these LGUs who respond to armed conflict. We cannot imagine the trauma of families, especially the children, when they hear the exchange of gunfire. Rest assured that our office will continue to help,” Atty. Carmelo Nochete, regional director, said in a statement.

The DSWD reported that its DRMD Disaster Response Section allocated food and non-food Items consisting of 366 family food packs, 183 hygiene kits, and 183 sleeping kits to augment the initial assistance provided by local government units.

It further said that the Municipal Action Team of Toboso administered the Disaster Assistance Family Access Cards (DAFAC), by conducting the profiling of affected families and individuals.

Classes, which were suspended last week in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, and all nine barangays in Toboso, are expected to resume today.*

https://visayandailystar.com/conflict-displaced-families-return-home-get-dswd-assistance/