Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said that typhoon ‘Sendong’ survivors are well on their way to recovery with their recent transfer to their new homes and establishment of small business enterprises.

It can be recalled that the DSWD awarded livelihood checks totalling P975,000.00 to 195 families in Cagayan de Oro City in April. The families have organized themselves into Self-Employment Associations (SKAs) and are now engaged in income-generating projects such as sari-sari or rolling stores, farming, livestock raising, fishing, food processing, dress making, shell craft and fish vending.

In Iligan, on the other hand, some 265 family-members of SEA-K associations benefited from the livelihood assistance amounting to P1,325,000.

Meanwhile, as of May 31, more than P660 million worth of assistance has been provided to typhoon ‘Sendong’ victims in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City from the combined resources of the DSWD, local government units, non-government organizations and other government agencies. This consisted of food and non-food items (P167,131,837), shelter assistance (P445,200,000) and cash-for-work program (P48,113,186).

Earlier this year, a total of 700 core houses were turned over to the beneficiaries of which 500 units located in Calaanan were turned over by President Aquino. The other 200 units are in Indahag. ###