THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already released P6.8 billion in the implementation of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA).
“We have already fully paid all families affected based on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan,” said Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, regional director of DSWD.
As of August 19, a total of P1.8 billion was released for towns in Iloilo Province; P2.4 billion for Capiz; P625 million for Antique; P1.1 billion for Aklan and P725.7 million for Negros Occidental.
A total of 391,967 families were served in the entired region.
The bulk of the families came from Capiz with 120,749; Iloilo, 108,444; Aklan, 68,073; Negros Occidental, 42,900; and Antique, 41,910.

GRATEFUL
Beneficiaries of ESA in Roxas City have expressed gratefulness for the assistance.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa binigay sa amin ng DSWD na P30,000. Ipinaayos namin ang aming bahay na bumagsak ng dahil sa Yolanda. Maraming maraming salamat sa tulong ng gobyerno at sa DSWD. Kung hindi dahil doon, hindi namin maipapaayos ang aming bahay,” said Marcela Ardivila.
Marcela, 46 years old, is married to 43-year-old Jessi. The couple has been blessed with three children named Jeffrey, 15; Adrian, 11; and Charisse, 9.
Also, Felecito Colmo of the same barangay said he is thankful to the government for the assistance because they can now sleep soundly.
Colmo’s house is presently being constructed. He has merged the P30,000 ESA that he received with the money from his children to build a concrete house.
Colmo, a fish vendor, is married to 52-year-old Eleonora. The two have seven children: Christopher, 27; Ma. Elyn, 21; John Lee, 20; Shella Mae, 18; John Ric, 17; Mark Rafael, 15; and Justice Joy, 13.
“Gapasalamat ako sa bulig sang DSWD nga kwarta para mapatindog ko akon balay para may matulugan kami,” Felecito said.

NON-CRRP
While the agency has completed the payment to CRRP areas, payment for areas not included in the CRRP is being processed currently./dswd6/May Rago-Castillo