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President Benigno S. Aquino III accompanied by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman assures evacuees at the grandstand in Zamboanga City that the government will continue to provide them relief assistance and ensure their safety (left photo). Badjao families are among those given relief supplies (right photo).
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, assures evacuees at the grandstand in Zamboanga City that the government will continue to provide them relief assistance and ensure their safety (left photo). Badjao families are among those given relief supplies (right photo).

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said that 220 Badjao families or sea gypsies are among the displaced families being assisted by the DSWD.

Secretary Soliman explained that the Badjao families preferred to stay in their vintas in front of the Grandstand instead of staying in evacuation centers.

“Their vintas are their natural dwelling and they fear that these will be stolen. Nevertheless, our social workers reach out to them in their area and we continuously provide them with relief goods just like the other evacuees,” Secretary Soliman added.

Meanwhile, as of 6 am today, there are 7,924 families with 44,472 persons staying at the JFE Sports Complex or Grandstand, the biggest evacuation center, while some 3,705 families with 17,857 persons are staying in other evacuation homes, halls, schools and churches spread around the city.

The DSWD is now processing the release of additional P5 million standby funds to purchase relief supplies as the number of evacuees continue to increase. On September 11 and 13, the DSWD also released P1.5 million additional funds.

Secretary Soliman is still in Zamboanga to continue to ensure that all displaced families are served. ### (DSWD-Social Marketing Service)