THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 yesterday reported that a total of 153,593 family food packs worth P39.9 million have been distributed to the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Cebu from Nov. 8, 2013 to Jan. 23, 2014.
The town of Daanbantayan, which was considered the hardest hit, received the highest number of relief goods, with 18,047 family food packs amounting to P5.3 million.
It is followed by Tabogon, with 15,989 food packs worth P4.541 million; Medellin, with 15,729 food packs worth P3.932 million; Madridejos, with 13.432 million; San Remegio, with 12,572 food packs worth P3.349 million; and Bogo City, with 9,340 food packs worth P2.521 million.
The other recipients are the towns of Bantayan, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Consolacion, Compostela, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sta. Fe, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Tudela, and the cities of Cebu, Danao, Mandaue and Talisay.
Tubigon town in Bohol also got 2,040 food packs worth P580,875.
Speaking during post-Yolanda briefing at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command, Sheba Dabon of DSWD said that although they are now on the rehabilitation phase, they will continue their relief operations in selected areas.
Dabon said DSWD is now advocating for “cash for work” under livelihood program, like fashion accessories-making, carenderia, vegetable vending and dried fish retailing.
There is also “cash for work” for clearing operations where the survivors will take part in the clearing roads from debris.
She said DSWD has allocated P30 million for 11 local government units, with 6,677 targeted beneficiaries.
Of the P30 million, the Municipality of Bantayan already got P5 million.
Meanwhile, to provide additional help in the post rehabilitation phase to the areas affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda last year, the Philippine Navy will deploy its two teams of naval construction brigade in Bohol and in Eastern Samar.
The two teams are set to leave Cebu today. The send-off ceremony will be held at the Captain Veloso Pier in Naval Forces Central (Navforcen).
The two teams are tasked to help in the on-going construction of damaged infrastructures in the two provinces.
Commodore Reynaldo Yoma, Navforcen commander, said the team for Eastern Samar will also fix the naval base in Tacloban City that was damaged by Yolanda.
Once the team finishes the repairs at the base, Yoma said, the team will then focus dedicate their time on the repair of damaged schools.
Ensign Jaypee Abuan, Navforcen public information officer, said the two teams are expected to fix the schools in Loay, Bohol and in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
“We particularly choose to prioritize the schools since we want to give comfort to school kids while they are attending classes,” said Abuan in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.
The two Navy teams will brought along with them construction materials purchased by their office and some from the donations of private sector.
Aside from providing transport for its own personnel, Logistic Craft 551-BRP Dagupan City will also transport relief container vans from the United Nations High Commission.