PASSI CITY, ILOILO-Hers is a face that mirrors not just tranquility but joy as well. This despite after Yolanda’s wreckage left her and her family homeless.

The home of 32-year-old Jean Caballero of Brgy.Cadilang, Passi City, Iloilo was not spared by Yolanda as it lashed in Northern portion of Panay affecting Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Antique. Her husband Renelito, a tricycle driver, also suffered a minor injury on his foot.

But nowhere was there any sadness in the voice of Jean as she spoke. Her eyes mirrored happiness as she said that she is glad they all have survived the typhoon. More than anything, she is happy her whole family is intact and alive.

According to her, they have already moved towards recovery after the storm. “My husband gathered whatever materials were left and had to make a makeshift shelter. We all had to squeeze in for days,” she said.

HELP CAME

Jean said her family was thankful to the provision of food packs for her family. She said they received several packs from DSWD, local government of Passi City, provincial government of lloilo and other private organizations.

“Those packs sustained us for days. It made us feel better because we knew that there were institutions helping us,” she said.

Relief and joy came overpouring in December when DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program released in full her cash grant amounting to P2,200.

“We used the amount to buy materials so we could build the house. We gave it a priority for the welfare of the children. We were worried they might get sick because they were exposed to heat and rain as we only had a makeshift house then,” she said.

Jean is mother to two children, eight-year-old Renzy and 10-year-old Rachel.

ARMED FOR THE STORM

Even before the typhoon, Jean felt like she had an extra weapon to face it.

“We were taught about disaster preparedness during the Family Development Sessions (FDS). I applied what I learned like ensuring we had ready-to-carry flashlight, clothing and food,” she said.

Jean has also foreseen that it would be best for her children to stay in a more sturdy house which made her bring her children earlier to the house of her brother nearby which was made of concrete materials.

“Since 2011, I have never failed attending FDS sessions. It is one venue where I learn a lot,” she said.

Aside from disaster preparedness, she said she learned about budgeting, husband and wife relationship, taking care of children and women’s rights in the FDS.

WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Jean also expressed her joy with her children being covered by PantawidPamilya,

“They now have pencil, paper, bags and vitamins. It was difficult for us to provide these when they were not covered by Pantawid,” she said.

She also ensures that she has money left for the children. “In case they get sick or in emergencies, I have money to use.”

Jean is currently working as an attendant to a public market grocery in Passi City where she also earns additional income for her family.

“We are doing our best for our children. We want them to have a good future,” Jean said./dswd6/May Rago-Castillo