P7 million released for disaster victims

CEBU, Philippines - With the various calamities and disasters that Cebu has endured, and with more looming in the province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 vows continuous assistance to victims of these unexpected life occurrences.

DSWD-7, this year, has recorded a release of funds amounting to P7,096,000 for 1,673 needy families in various parts of the province to help repair and rehabilitate the houses of poor households ravaged by typhoons.

Of the over P7 million released funds, the biggest slice of budget amounting to P6,465,000 came out in the form of Emergency Shelter Assistance that benefitted 1,494 families in Sta. Fe and Bantayan.

Each family whose house was totally damaged by storm surges and flash floods was given cash assistance to enable them to purchase materials for the repair and construction.

An amount of P381,000 on the other hand was distributed for burial services to the 129 families of Daanbantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos who have lost their loved ones in the wake of typhoon Frank last year.

DSWD does not give assistance only after a disaster occurs. The social welfare department also ensures that these people, who were once victims or not, will be able to continue living sustainably through livelihood assistance.

In Bogo and Bantayan, DSWD-7 has released P250,000 to 50 beneficiaries under the department’s Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran program.

“During calamities, may it be manmade or natural, hundreds of people are woefully killed, injured and maimed. These deaths, losses of property and other consequential effects are hurting, leaving frustrations and worsening the people’s poor economic and social conditions,” DSWD said. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)