As the country continues to face the risks and challenges brought by COVID-19 and other hazards, ECOWEB is observing the National Disaster Resilience Month in solidarity with all the affected and vulnerable sectors and communities. The University of Philippines OCTA research projected COVID-19 infection cases may reach 85,000 cases by the end of July. The increasing COVID-19 cases after almost six months since the first case in the country called for an improved response measures to the pandemic.
ECOWEB Executive Director, Regina Salvador-Antequisa, appreciates the prioritization of COVID-19 in the government budget allocation that totals to Php 360B by end of June. Being the representative of the Victims of Disaster and Calamities (VDC) sector to the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Antequisa cited the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) as among the government programs that is much wanted by the socio-economically affected of the pandemic as revealed by the on-line program accountability and monitoring survey initiated by NAPC-VDC. SAP targets to benefit 18M poor and vulnerable families. However, Antequisa shared that the majority of the respondents of the survey that was conducted from April 25 to May 18, still hope to receive and be included in the SAP assistance. Antequisa represents the NAPC-VDC in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as well.
ECOWEB, to complement the government program, initiated its COVID-19 response covering 107 communities in 11 provinces in 8 regions in the country. Applying the Survivor and Community-led Response Approach (sclr), in its 3 months intervention, ECOWEB has provided a combination of cash, food, non-food, hygiene and livelihood support to a total of 3,325 families and 26,119 individuals. PPEs were also provided to a total of 2,282 front liners and social workers. Multi-media information and education about COVID-19, its management and prevention measures has also been undertaken.
In the observance of resiliency month, ECOWEB reiterates its commitment to building community resilience amid the pandemic by promoting the survivor and community-led response (SCLR) approach to crisis recognized through the National Gawad Kalasag Award conferred by NDRRMC to ECOWEB in 2019.
ECOWEB reiterates its belief that resiliency starts from the family and their community, reinforced by effective socio-economic structures, systems and processes and strengthened by an enabling government policies and programs.
While the COVID pandemic has strained the socio-economic condition of the nation, it is also testing further the resilience of the Filipino people that has proven its tenacity in facing disaster after disaster in the past.
Para sa “Sama-samang Pagsulong tungo sa Katatagan sa Gitna ng Bagong Normal,” ECOWEB reiterates its commitment to strengthen partnership with the government, civil society, private, and NGOs in the local, national and international community. And in the new normal, ECOWEB all the more wishes to emphasize the importance of community and local leadership for a more effective action towards building community resilience.
