The Department of Social Welfare and Development continues to strengthen its collaborative efforts with various government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) as it presents the Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Niño in the region.

“We are currently conducting needs assessment of priority municipalities and beneficiaries who might need our assistance should the situation in the region worsen. But right now, we are thankful that there are no request yet for augmentation support from any municipality,” said OIC Regional Director Ponciana P. Condoy.

Likewise, Mr. Franco Lopez and Mr. Rommel S. Gamiao, of the Disaster and Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Unit shared during a meeting of the El Niño Task Force led by the National Development Authority, the agency’s strategies to address the El Niño phenomenon particularly its close coordination with the Provincial Action Teams in monitoring would-be affected families.

As of April 21, 2016, a total amount of Php7,878,750.00 financial assistance were released to 4,125 families in the Province of Nueva Vizcaya for the provision of temporary employment  to farmers, farm laborers and  fisherfolks pursuant to the Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Program. ### By: Gela Flor R. Perez, Regional Information Officer II