ILOILO-The DSWD6 here released P3.2 million worth of livelihood assistance to six hard-hit Yolanda towns.
The amount is part of the donations received by the agency. If broken down, a total of P369,050 was disbursed for Balasan; P662,400 for Carles; P719,518 for Ajuy; P379,195 for Lemery; P428,000 for Concepcion and P693,590 for Estancia. Total beneficiaries reached 590.
Amount differed depending on the livelihood projects of the beneficiaries which included oyster culture, banca with petromax, fishing, tindahan sa barangay, buy and sell, vegetable production, sewing and organic farming, poultry raising and tricycle service.
The amount was released through checks named to individual survivors on Monday (August 18, 2014) by DSWD regional director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre in a simple ceremony in Estancia. Nearby municipalities, on the other hand, were represented by their municipal mayors who received the checks and will consequently distribute them to their constituents.

BIG HELP
Forty-eight-year-old Wilfredo Dapilaga of Brgy. Bayuyan, who currently stays in one of the bunkhouses in Estancia town expressed his appreciation to the help that the government has extended to him and his family.
“I received P1,250 for my Oyster culture livelihood project. Thank you for helping us. Our house was totally destroyed and this assistance, although not big, can already help me earn again,” he said.
Lourcy Suansin, who also stays at the bunkhouses, likewise said that the assistance would go a long way for her and her six children.
“Thank you for helping us. We will really use this for our oyster culture project,” she said.
Also present during the releasing of aid was United Nations-Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) Officer Kenga Shandralingam./dswd6/May Rago-Castillo