Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman recently committed to release 10,000 sacks of rice to local government units affected by typhoon Pablo in Region XI, after a group of victims had a stand-off and requested for an audience with the Secretary and Governor Uy during a visit in Compostela Valley. During the dialogue, Sec. Soliman and Gov. Uy made it clear that the rice will be released provided they meet eight conditions.
The conditions include the distribution plan indicating place and time of distribution and how the goods are to be distributed; a distribution list indicating the name and address of recipients; listing of the names of responsible person who shall guarantee the safe distribution; distribution to be witnessed by DSWD and Provincial/Municipal LGU representatives; release of rice to be done at the Typhoon Pablo Relief Operations Center at the DPWH Depot in Panacan, Davao City; acknowledgment that relief goods came from the government; distribution report consistent with the actual distribution; and storage of rice must follow safety standards.
The DSWD in Region XI said that the sacks of rice are ready for pick-up from the Depot in Panacan anytime. In a follow-up call to the dispatcher in the Depot in Panacan, today, disclosed that no pick-up has been made to date.
As a result of the negotiation, Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy initially sent 1,900 food packs and 100 sacks of rice to the area aside from the rice commitment.
Secretary Soliman who assured that the families will continue to receive relief assistance from the government through the DSWD, explained that the agency will provide family food packs to the affected families until end of March or even up to end of June 2013 or until such time that they have recovered and established their sources of income.
As of January 21, the DSWD provided 597,616 food packs to 262,948 affected families in Region XI. In Compostela Valley, 291,230 food packs were extended to 127,592 families.
Secretary Soliman who flew to Compostela Valley recently to discuss with Governor Arturo Uy the early recovery programs for the typhoon victims, said that the national and provincial governments are looking into the possibility of implementing livelihood projects that could be immediately started like agriculture and fishing.
“Aside from the food packs that are being provided to the families, we are now focusing on how we will implement the cash-for-work (CFW) and short-term livelihood” Secretary Soliman said.
The DSWD needs at least P2.65 billion to sustain the relief distribution for six (6) months, while P1.2 billion is needed to implement the CFW program to benefit 176,617 families in Region XI for 30 days.
The CFW is a rehabilitation program that provides compensation to disaster victims who participate in community development projects like repair of roads and infrastructures. They will be paid 75 percent of the Region XI minimum daily wage rate or P226.00. ###
