Davao City – To assist arriving locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) in the city, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI has deployed social workers from the Protective Services Division (PSD) at the Davao City International Airport, Sasa International Seaport, and Davao City Overland Transport Terminal beginning June.

The social workers are present on all schedule of arrivals at the different ports and terminal to help assist and assess the needs of the individuals.

“We make sure that we coordinate with other agencies, so the efforts are always unified and in accordance with the set goals,” said Ms. Gemma D. Dela Cruz, OIC-Division Chief of the PSD.

The technical working group for arriving LSIs and ROFs has encouraged a coordinated effort among concerned agencies in the region.

“Our role in the Department is to assess the needs of the arriving LSIs and ROFs so we can provide them with appropriate assistance,” Ms. Dela Cruz added.

She also clarified that the assistance is not only limited to financial but also psychosocial, among others.

To date, a total of 353 LSIs received assistance from DSWD amounting to ₱799,000 for food and accommodation expenses. ###