DSWD provides assistance to families displaced by military operations in Davao Oriental town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13): DSWD provides assistance to families displaced by military operations in Davao Oriental town

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Wednesday that its Field Office XI in Davao City provided assistance to the families who were forced to evacuate because of military operations in a Davao Oriental town.

According to DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, a total of 399 families were forced to evacuate from their village in Caraga town, Davao Oriental last July 11 after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched an attack against members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on July 8.

At present, the evacuees are taking refuge at the DSWD Office in Barangay Poblacion, Caraga.

The assistance provided includes 1,300 food packs comprising of five kilos of rice and canned goods.

The DSWD Field Office XI is also currently coordinating with Davao Oriental 1st District Rep. Corazon Malanyaon on whether there is a need to augment the supplies for the evacuees.

Based on the reports from the Army's 67th Infantry Battalion (IB), the affected families came from the different villages of Barangay Pichon in Caraga town.

The 67th IB also affirmed reports released by the media that it launched an airstrike against the NPA rebels and dropped at least six rockets.

Secretary Taguiwalo said that monitoring and protecting the welfare of citizens affected by armed conflict falls under the mandate of the DSWD, specifically the welfare of children.

She also said that the DSWD’s Protective Services Bureau follows protocol to aid children affected by armed conflict in line with Article X of Republic Act No. 7610.

R.A. 7610 provides for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

Its Article X states that “Children in situations of armed conflict should be given priority during evacuation and that existing community organizations should look after the safety and well-being of children during evacuation operations and its immediate aftermath when they are in the evacuation centers."

“We want to ensure the DSWD’s more active involvement in the plight of citizens affected by military operations. Military operations have resulted in many forced evacuations of farmers and Lumad communities, and the needs of the evacuees have to be addressed,” Taguiwalo said.

The DSWD Chief said she has already brought up with Malacanang the matter of assisting the Lumad citizens displaced by armed conflict and military operations until they return to their ancestral communities.

“President Duterte has been consistent in expressing his concern for the Lumads and other indigenous peoples who have been forced to flee their homes,” she said.

Meanwhile, she called for support for the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“These peace negotiations should be supported because they will contribute to efforts to address the roots of armed conflict in the country,” she said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=903713