While everyone was busy preparing their lunch in the “tent city” of Estancia, Iloilo where hundreds of families evacuated from their oil-spilled communities, a solo parent mother of two, got the biggest surprise of her life.

Felimel Yamson and her two boys were eating lunch with DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas at their small dining table stalled beside their tent.

The two Secretaries talked to her children about their dream profession. One of her kids proudly insisted that he wanted to become a nurse. On the dining table, Secretary Roxas made a joke that drew laughter from the two kids and the crowd.

The solo parent is grateful for the assistance they receive from the government and international agencies.

“Malaki pasasalamat namin kasi sobra sobra ang tulong simula noong lumipat kami dito sa tent. Madami na kaming na stock na pagkain. May araw pa na nagbibigay ng arroz caldo at champorado”, she said.

Felimel and her two children left their damaged house in Purok 3, Botongon, after the oil spill caused by Yolanda’s wrath when a barge of National Power Corporation took the brunt of the super typhoon near the seaside where they live. They are now currently staying in a tent with four other families.

Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Defense Secretary and currently head of the NDRMMC, Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, were in town to see the condition of the locals who are affected by Yolanda and the barge that was damaged by the typhoon causing the evacuation of 500 families to tents installed in (name of campus).

The three secretaries had a meeting with the townspeople to assure them of the continuous help from the government while they are recovering from the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.

During the meeting, Secretary Soliman promised to the people of Estancia that food packs will continue to be distributed starting in December 7-9.

“Food packs tuluy-tuloy hanggang end of December sa lahat. If may makukuha sa cash for work or regular job, wala ng food packs. Pero if wala pa, may food packs para sa mga
senior citizens, lactating mothers and people with disabilities”, Sec. Soliman said.

“Three rounds of food packs with 25 kg of rice asta makatabok kita sa new year”, Secretary Roxas added.

The DSWD Secretary also stressed to the people of Estancia that one of the government’s goals is to help them cross towards a normal life after the devastation caused by Yolanda.

“We aim for normalization kasi maganda if may pera na sila na pipili kung ano kakainin nila”, the Secretary said./dswd/Jomel Anthony V. Gutierrez