I
Rationale

The continuous eruption of Mt. Mayon has affected and displaced thousands of families coming from Albay.  Said families are currently housed in evacuation centers.

The PHILVOCS estimates that there will be continuous eruption extended period.

The need therefore to provide productive activities while the families are in the evacuation centers is deemed critical, as well as initiate planning for rehabilitation.

These activities can be replicated in other calamities where extended stay in evacuation centers is anticipated.

II
Objectives:

1.         To provide opportunities for the families affected to engage in productive activities to soften the impact and alleviate their conditions while they are in the evacuation centers preparatory to their return to normal life at the same time, enabling affected families to partly provide for their basic relief requirements.

2.         To advocate for the initial planning for rehabilitation where families will be able to go back to their communities.

III
Description:

The Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of its augmentation support function and being a lead agency for relief and rehabilitation seeks to be proposed a three pronged strategy for the rehabilitation of the families affected by calamities which will ensure humane habitat at the evacuation centers, and provide appropriate opportunities preparatory to their integration to a normal community through institutionalizing close linkage with government, non-government and business sectors.

IV
Implementing Details

A.        Management of Evacuation Centers

The Field Office should advocate for the following mechanisms at the evacuation centers:

1.      Advocate for a total approach for a more humane habitat system giving priority to:

a.       Integrating gender-perspective approach with special focus on the needs of women and children

b.       Sanitation thru the use of concrete plumbing system using indigenous materials for its walls and roofings.  Portable toilets should not be used since some sanitation management are not generally acceptable to rural folks

2.      As part of the DSWD's provision of augmentation support of basic services to the LGUs, the following mechanisms will be employed:

a.       Undertake basic organization of families for services by administering modified quick response MBN to determine and fast tract priority needs

b.       Establishment of a temporary Day Care Center with basic programs of supplemental feeding, day care sessions, child minding, etc.

c.       Conduct sessions on Parent Effectiveness and other modular sessions on women and child care development

d.       Conduct critical stress debriefing sessions for individuals for them to cope with psycho-social stresses brought about by the disaster

e.       Undertake volunteer organization and management for mobilization

f.        Ensure established NGO and Welfare Inquiry Desks in the evacuation centers manned by volunteers to assist in managing resources/relief supplies and takes care of information about the evacuees

3.      Initiate close linkage with government agencies for the provision of adequate opportunities for the evacuees

a.         Department of Education, Culture and Sports

- Provision of on-site primary and secondary education (mobilizing Parent Teacher Association as a mechanism for integrating PES sessions)

b.         Department of Health

- Provision of primary health care services especially to women and children e.g. immunization, food supplements, pre-natal, etc.

c.         Technological Skills Development Authority

- Provision of demand/market driven skills training like training of women ™s group, out of school youth for entrepreneurship development and management

d.         Department of Labor and Employment

- Link family members of working age with possible job placement

e.         Department of Trade and Industry

- Mobilize private enterprises for sub-contract job but ensure just share for return of investment through an organized people ™s organization among the evacuees.

4.      Linkages with NGOs, Business Sectors and Private Groups/Organizations

- Mobilize volunteers from civic organization such as the Rotary, Lions, etc. for possible sub-contract jobs for export or local markets.

- Temporary "Share a Home" linked with religious groups ( œBorn Again  groups, Catholic associations, etc.)

- A campaign for "give out of your best" for dry goods, clothes, etc.

- Sponsor a child as scholar

- Mobilize groups e.g. Couples for Christ, Apostolic family ministries, etc. to support the conduct of PES

B.        Preparing for Rehabilitation: A MODEL COMMUNITY

Undertake planning for rehabilitation even at this stage, keeping in mind the development of an integrated plan of various aspects in resettlement for œnew  or adoptive community.  Among others things are the following basic principles:

- Where applicable, community-based approaches such as provision for low cost housing in either resettlement or barangay assimilation strategies

- Involvement of the private sector in both idea generation and actual implementation

- Convergence of services among agencies.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The Department of Social Welfare and Development shall advocate for the implementation of the plan as a lead agency of the Relief and Rehabilitation Service Commission which has its counterpart committees in all levels.

Likewise, DSWD will continue to provide technical assistance in the relief and rehabilitation management being primarily undertaken by the Local Government Units.

The Local Government Units on the other hand, shall activate the Relief and Rehabilitation Service Committees in their respective areas even at the barangay level to ensure implementation of the plan.

This Department Order shall take effect immediately.

For strict compliance.

Adopted: 13 March 2000

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Vice President, Republic of the Philippines
and DSWD Secretary