Mr. King Webster B. Balaw-ing, Acting Community Affairs Officer IV of the Public Affairs, Information, and Assistance Division (PAIAD) and currently performing special supervisory functions under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), convened a special meeting on Friday to address pressing issues on post-disaster assistance following Super Typhoon Pepito in November 2024.

The meeting, held with Engr. Jeremy B. Collado of the Provincial Agricultural Office (PAO), Ehrzon Vallejos, Chief of the DRRM Research and Planning Section, and Genevive G. Graciano, Chief of the DRRM Operations and Warning Section, focused on the current status of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and agricultural aid funded by the PDRRMO’s Quick Response Fund, and the prioritization of programs and projects to ensure efficient, equitable, and timely interventions.

Balaw-ing disclosed that many ESA applicants have yet to receive assistance due to multiple discrepancies found in the submitted documents. “We know the ₱5,000 is not enough for their total needs, but at least it’s a start,” Balaw-ing said, referring to the fixed amount allocated for shelter assistance. He emphasized that ESA distribution is governed by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with its donor agency, the Office of the President.

While validations are still ongoing, Balaw-ing confirmed that ESA distribution will proceed in parallel to avoid delays. For agricultural assistance, the plan is to provide logistical support such as farm inputs instead of cash assistance, although validation remains a critical step. Farmers who have already received ESA will no longer be eligible for agricultural aid to ensure a wider reach of government support.

He further proposed institutionalizing policies to strengthen the integrity of the assistance distribution system. “Validation of masterlists should emanate from the municipal level. The provincial government’s role should be to release assistance based on properly endorsed and validated reports,” Balaw-ing explained.

According to Balaw-ing, terminal report will serve as the primary basis for financial assistance. “If an affected household or farmer is not included in the terminal report, the justification must be made at the municipal level. For agricultural damage, planting reports from municipal agriculture offices will be required to validate claims,” he said. The meeting also tackled the ₱7 million fund for agricultural aid in 2025 and will be distributed once assessment is finalized and decision be made whether this amount will be used entirely for logistical support, or solely for financial aid, or a combination of both.

Balaw-ing is set to present these recommendations to the PDRRM Council and urged that all provincial offices offering post-disaster aid, including the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), must align with the proposed system to streamline support and avoid duplication. /gpp

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