The DILG XII is humbled with the appreciation expressed by the local sanggunians of Cotabato Province and Municipality of Tulunan with the passage of resolutions entitled: “Resolution commending the Department of the Interior and Local Government XII-Koronadal City for assisting the Province of Cotabato in the relief operations and extended appropriate interventions to earthquake victims”, and “Resolution expressing heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all donors and benefactors who have provided significant contributions on the relief efforts for the earthquakes that hit the Municipality of Tulunan”, respectively, inspired the office to continue fulfilling its mandate and even beyond the thematic area of disaster preparedness.

As the Vice-Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness, the office extended assistance to the severely hit local government units brought about by the successive earthquakes which jolted Cotabato Province. It deployed personnel to man the Regional Coordinating Center and to provide technical support in the local Incident Management Team; disseminated policy support to the LGUs on matters raised by the response agencies and RDRRMC; sought donations from other DILG Regional Offices across the country and local officials of unaffected LGUs in the Region; facilitated the checking-in of the goods  received to the Provincial Emergency Operation Center; and distributed assorted goods and malongs to the affected areas which are also pilot barangays of the ELCAC program, among others.

Under the leadership of Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, the “One Malong, One Family Campaign” was launched on November 7, 2019. The overwhelming support and contributions of the local officials, DILG personnel, private individuals, CSOs and NGOs generated more than a thousand malongs for the victims.