DSWD chief: Ph still welcomes foreign aid

Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo clarified Monday that the Philippines is still accepting foreign donations for the victims of the recent typhoons.

“I would like to apologize if my comment sounded like we can do it alone [and that] we no longer need foreign aid,” Taguiwalo told reporters.

Taguiwalo made the clarification when sought for reaction regarding her Facebook post about foreign aid for victims of typhoons “Lawin” and “Karen” that had become viral.

She said that the government is not seeking international assistance since it can accommodate the needs of the victims of affected families.

“To our beloved countrymen, just a few explanations: we are not asking for foreign assistance or donations from other countries for [the victims of typhoons] Karen or Lawin because we noticed that the government and its agencies have sufficient funds to address the needs of affected families,” Taguiwalo said on her Facebook account.

“We should not be too dependent on foreign agencies, if we could stand on our own feet. If we unite, we could do it,” she added.

Taguiwalo said the government is still welcoming foreign aid as long

as the intent of the donors is to help the typhoon victims recover.

“We are ready to accept [foreign] assistance, based on the needs and based on no condition. Meaning, the foreign organizations and agencies are willing to help the [affected] families to help us so we will be able to recover,” Taguiwalo said.

Citing initial report released on October 24, Taguiwalo said Cordillera has the most number of affected families at 66,875, or a total of 304,796 individuals.

She said the government is still continuing its relief program because there are still isolated areas that have yet to be reached. SUNNEX