MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office in Quezon City as well as its National Capital Region (NCR) Field Office will remain open on Friday to provide uninterrupted service to its clients, particularly those in urgent need of assistance from the Department.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian issued a memorandum on Thursday, directing all agency officials and employees to keep the said offices operational despite the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 30 by the Office of the President suspending work in government offices in the NCR on September 1 due to heavy rainfall.

In his memo, Gatchalian cited the clause in MC 30 which states that “those agencies whose functions include the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with the operations and render the necessary services.”

“In view of this, work in DSWD Offices located in NCR will not be suspended and shall continue to be operational on September 1,” the DSWD chief said.

In a statement, Assistant. Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said Gatchalian’s directive calls for the unhampered service in the FO-NCR as well as all satellite offices in Metro Manila where the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) are being dispensed.

“We continue to process the AICS and other forms of assistance for our indigent kababayans (countrymen),” he said.

The DSWD spokesperson added that Gatchalian also ordered all available agency shuttle services to ferry employees residing in flooded areas to ensure that they will not be inconvenienced on their way to work.

He also pointed out that DSWD disaster teams are on high alert status to render disaster operations and provide resource augmentation to local government units affected by the weather disturbance.

“The DSWD-NCR is in coordination with the local governments of Quezon City, Taguig and Caloocan where evacuation centers have been set up. The FO-NCR is ready to provide assistance to the families and individuals who will be given temporary shelter in evacuation centers,” Lopez said. (PNA)