The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over P140,000 to relatives of 14 casualties caused by tropical depression Quinta during the relief operation in the town of Dumangas.
DSWD Undersecretary for operations and capability building group Parisya Taradji along with Senator Franklin Drilon extended the financial assistance simultaneous with the distribution of family packs in the towns of Dumangas and Pototan.
As of December 29, 2012, those confirmed dead are Warlito Lutero of Brgy. Panuran, Janiuay; Mark Angelo Bayotas; Brgy Lico-an, Barotac Nuevo; Erlinda Almiranta; Brgy Aglobong, Janiuay; KC Condes of Brgy. Sagcup, Lambunao; Jonaire Deretcho; Brgy. Alabidhan, Bingawan; Frederick Fadriga, victims’Santo Angel, Dumalag, Caiz; Diezel Superio, Talugis, Zarraga; Edwin Farinas, Brgy. Acuna, Tapaz; Benedicto Castor, Brgy. Agcalaga, Calinog; Romeo Idorita, Malinao, Aklan; Nilo Icawalo, Brgy. Tambula, Malinao, Aklan; George Jimenea, Brgy. Tuburan, Zarraga; Osot Sabdane, Brgy. 15, San Miguel Street, San Miguel and Samson Barrido of Brgy. Cabilawan, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
DSWD-6 Assistant Regional Director Joel P. Galicia and Assistant Regional Director for Administration Evangeline Felecio and Managament and Audit Assistant Lydia Pillado facilitated the turning over of checks to the families of the victims. Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor also joined in the turn-over ceremony
The financial assistance to the victims’ families is apart from the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) provided by the social welfare department. Families whose houses were partially damaged will receive P5,000 each for each family whose houses and P10,000 for families whose houses were totally destroyed by typhoon.
USEC Taradji said the cash assistance is the government’s way of alleviating the grief of the typhoon victims. As such, she encouraged the affected local government units to work hand-in-hand with the social welfare department for the early recovery and rehabilitation program.
In a briefing with the affected local government units at the Iloilo City Hall, Taradji assured that the DSWD is ready to provide the ESA to the victims provided that victims should be relocated in a safe place.
The local government units should provide the relocation site for the typhoon victims. “The DSWD wants to build a safe community for the relocates to transfer, she said.
“There are several agencies that should decide on safe site. The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) should certify that it is a safe ground for the victims to stay,” she said.
According to ARD Galicia, the municipal social welfare officers will validate all the reports coming from the affected barangays especially on the number of houses destroyed by Typhoon Quinta.
Initially, there are 1,279 totally destroyed houses and 2,826 partially destroyed houses. The figures are expected to change after all the local government units have submitted their reports. (Maricar M. Calubiran/DSWD)