Thank you for bringing to the public’s attention the plight of the typhoon victims in Capiz and Antique through the story titled, “Victims in Antique, Capiz cry for help” (Front Page, 11/20/13). Indeed, while the rest of the country is focused on Tacloban, there’s a great portion of Ilonggos in Panay Island needing attention too.
In the article, however, there was mention of “at least 18 municipalities in Antique need not only relief aid but also assistance in rebuilding destroyed houses” and “Most of the help comes from the provincial government and private donors on relief missions.”
Trusting your fairness in giving information, we would like to share with you the fact that the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 6, the social welfare arm of the national government in the region, has already extended help in the form of relief goods to Capiz and Antique provinces amounting to P23.2 million and P7.4 million, respectively. We have also released family packs to all affected areas in Iloilo, Aklan and Negros Occidental. The total number of DSWD family packs released as of Nov. 20, 2013, has reached 293,496 or the equivalent of P76.6 million.
As to the municipalities mentioned, please be informed that Tibiao received 3,000 family packs worth P783,000; Barbaza, 4,040 packs or P1.05 million;
Culasi, 3,420 packs or P892,620; and Laua-an, 3,950 packs or P1.03 million.
On the call for rehabilitation efforts, our social welfare and development teams are currently conducting rapid assessment of families affected—whether their houses were totally or partially damaged. Programs such as Emergency Shelter Assistance, Food for Work, Cash for Work, Core Shelter Assistance Program, and Sustainable Livelihood Program are being mulled for implementation.
Lastly, we would like to emphasize that we are all in this together and that we, at the DSWD Field Office 6, are working 24/7 to help the residents of Panay Island for their speedy recovery.
—MA. EVELYN B. MACAPOBRE,
regional director,
DSWD Field Office 6