Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that around P1.2-billion worth of goods, services, and on-going projects continue to be extended to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City.

These include those provided from November 9, 2013 to October 17, 2014 such as food and non-food items; emergency shelter and livelihood assistance; supplemental feeding; and, the construction of an evacuation center/regional facility.

Based on record, DSWD has spent more than P575 million in food assistance for 58,823 families.

It comprises of food packs with 3-kg and 6-kg rice packs, 15-kg and 25-kg rice packs, bottled water, canned goods, high energy biscuits, noodles, and coffee, among others.

Non-food items were likewise distributed such as tents, tarps, mosquito nets, blankets, hygiene kits, mats, used clothing, plastic glass/cups, collapsible containers, plastic pails, slippers, frying pans, cooking pots, canvass, towels, flashlights, and water jugs.

Around P35.8 million was also released for the implementation of the Cash for Building Livelihood Assets for 9,395 families.

Some P3 million will also be released to fund the livelihood projects of 17 Self-Employment Association-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) groups. Another P103,212 is allocated for for the long term livelihood of other survivors.

Around P23.86 million is also intended for the livelihood skills training of survivors to include 600 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Likewise, P188 million has been used for the ongoing regular supplementary feeding and feeding program in bunkhouses for 112,227 children.

As committed by the Department, P10 million is also allocated for the construction of an evacuation center cum regional facility, which is part of the preparation for other future disasters that may hit the area. DSWD is just awaiting for the finalization of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and documents for the change of location site.

Furthermore, DSWD has also allocated funds for the construction of 113 bunkhouses amounting to P68.9 million.

“Sinisiguro namin na walang maiiwan sa pagbangon na biktima ng bagyong ‘Yolanda’. Lahat ng bayan na nasalanta ay meron tayong kaukulang programa na binibigay para sa kanilang pagbangon (We ensure that no one is left behind in the rehabilitation efforts for ‘Yolanda’ survivors. There are recovery and rehabilitation programs and services implemented in all towns devastated by the typhoon),” Sec. Soliman added.

At present, DSWD continues to provide relief assistance to 48 families staying at the San Fernando Elementary School, the lone evacuation center still operating in the city.

Further, the Department has also been paying for the electric consumption of families staying in the three bunkhouses in the city. ###