CONCEPCION, Iloilo-Six hundred residents here yesterday received a total of P18 million in emergency shelter assistance (ESA) from the Department of Social Welfare and Develoment (DSWD).
Each receiving P30,000 amount of check, the recipients were prioritized by the Local Government Unit to be prioritized for ESA, considering those with totally damaged houses and are still staying in tents.
The checks, named under individual beneficiaries, were released by DSWD represented by Protective Services head Rosario Sanagustin and witnessed by Mayor Milliard Villanueva and Cong. Niel Tupas, Jr.
“We would like to emphasize that this is just an initial release while awaiting for more funds to be downloaded to us here in the region. There will be more releases as soon as we receive the funding,” said Rosario Sanagustin.
Eighty-nine-year-old Rosario Montaniel of Brgy. Tamis-ac, said that, “Ipahuman ko na ini sang akon balay. Ang akon balay nagahilay kag ang atop ginpangtapik tapik lang.”
On the other hand, Danilo Depalobos’ palms were still shaking as he held his check. He said, “Salamat gid sang madamu,” addressing his statement to the government.

MORE TO COME
DSWD regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre ealier urged the people to help explain that these initial releases will be followed with more.
She said more beneficiaries will receive the same assistance in the coming weeks as the “government does not stop in findings ways to help those who lost their homes and livelihood” to the typhoon.
“Please help us tell and explain to others who have not yet received. There are still more coming. You are just the first batch,” the director said.
Earlier, DSWD Secreatry Corazon Soliman declared that the Department will finish the distribution of ESA to families who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda by January next year./May R. Castillo (with report from Wenna B. Bendo)l/dswd6