Tacloban City (06.15.2021) – Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, represented by Atty. Christian de Dios, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City Government of Tacloban and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD Field Office 08) on the Pilot Implementation of Project Link: Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) System last June 10, 2021.

Tacloban City which has been chosen as one of the country’s four identified beneficiary-cities of the pilot testing of the said system, has identified some barangays to participate in the activity thru the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

“Project Link: Family Tracing Reunification System is a system development project that intends to expedite the process of identifying, documenting, and locating a lost/missing child for the purpose of reunification with his/her family or caregivers during emergency situations whether natural or man-made including disasters.”

The use of Data Base System, Capability Building, and Referral Network which are less time-consuming, will not only save the life of a child but will also spare the child and the family from trauma and emotional distress. This will also prevent these children from being subjected to further abuse, violence, and exploitation.

Held at the City Mayor’s Office boardroom, said activity was attended by DSWD Regional Director Grace Q. Subong, DSWD-08 Soc. Tech. Head Marichu Bustillos, CSWDO Department Head Fe Chona Bahin, OSCA Head Angela Figer, and CSWDO Social Workers Marilou Nacilla, Reina Faye Gayon, and Rhea Mae Baldo.

The Philippines being prone to natural disasters, a concrete example of which was the ST Yolanda that has displaced thousands of people including children in Region 8, is one of the major reasons for the development of the said system.

Meanwhile, said signing of MOA was preceded by an orientation held on June 9, 2021 at the USAid Building, attended by representatives from DSWD-RO 8, CSWDO, CHO, TCPO, CDRRMO, Homecare Support Services for Senior Citizens Project, DSWD, OSCA, and Punong Barangays from Brgys. 63 , 84, 68 , and 106.

Inspired by UNICEF’s introduction of Rapid FTR in the management of ST Yolanda’s after-effects, DSWD and the City Government of Tacloban are hopeful that Project Link: FTR System will be a huge breakthrough in the city’s natural disaster and crisis management.

RPA-Cablao/CIO