DSWD aid for Zambo siege victims hit P189 M

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The assistance provided to evacuees displaced in the recent armed conflict in Zamboanga City have reached P189.5 million, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported yesterday.

Of the amount, P120 million  was spent on cooked meals distributed to several evacuation centers since Oct. 16.

The DSWD regional office said aside from food packs, some P5.1 million worth of blankets, plastic mats, hygiene kits, kitchen utensils and mosquito nets were provided to the residents.

The social welfare office has started distributing raw relief goods to the evacuees since the other week, including rice, canned goods, coffee and instant noodles.

The DSWD also provided relief goods to families who have returned to their homes in the devastated barangays.

Thirty-five percent of the more than 120,000 evacuees have returned to their homes in the villages of Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara after the local crisis management committee allowed them through the phase-in scheme.

Most of them were shocked to see homes that survived the fire riddled with bullets.

At least 62 bunkhouses were constructed with the help international agencies and military engineers for those whose homes were burned at the height of the conflict.