of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday (August 2) affirmed that the agency will have enhanced capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies with the new delivery trucks and forklifts that were acquired through the assistance of Senator Joel Villanueva.

“Ang credo ng DSWD, maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo, so dun tayo sa maagap. Alam naman natin na kahit marami kaming goods, kung hindi namin madadala from point A to point B, eh matutulog lang dito yung goods. So, sa tulong nitong mga bagong delivery trucks natin, napakaraming delivery trucks, mapapabilis at magiging mas maagap pa yung aming pag-responde,” Secretary Gatchalian told reporters present during a site inspection at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City.

During the site visit, the DSWD chief showed Sen. Villanueva the 11 new delivery trucks of the Department, which were acquired through the solon’s help, and the mechanized production system of the agency.

Secretary Gatchalian also thanked Sen. Villanueva for his steadfast support in enhancing the disaster response capabilities of the Department through the acquisition of the new equipment and vehicles.

“This is the first time na ganito karami yung natanggap namin na truck nang sabay-sabay…this is the biggest one-time investment in logistics of the government for DSWD,” the DSWD chief said.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Senator Joel dahil nung lumapit kami sa kanya para sa tulong sa disaster response, pinagtuunan nya ng pansin, inilaban nya para magkaroon ng entrada sa GAA (General Appropriations Act),” Secretary Gatchalian added.

Among those present in the site visit were Asst. Secretary for Community Engagement Ulysses Aguilar; Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for DRMG Leo Quintilla, who is also concurrent Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB); and Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) Director Michael Cristopher Mathay.