DSWD distributes Php 1.5M ESA to Lawin, Ofelia victims

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, 11 JAN (PIA)  - - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here recently released Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA)  totalling to P1.5M to Zamboanga City victims of typhoons Lawin and Ofelia that hit the country late last year.

The ESA which was released in the form of cash, gave typhoon victims a bit of hope during this dark moment of their lives.

Narrabelle Bue , Regional Information Officer (RIO) , DSWD in a statement said    the agency shelved out Php1.5M as ESA . She said, Ms Elizabeth Dy, Social Welfare Officer IV, led the distribution of the assistance to the affected families.   

Bue said “185 houses were partially destroyed and 50 units were totally damaged and washed out during the typhoons that dreadfully affected some of our barangays in the city.”

Typhoon victims whose houses were partially damaged received Php 5,000 cash assistance (per family) while victims whose houses were totally damaged got Php 10,000 cash assistance per family.

The ESA distribution was held at the covered court of Sinunuc Elementary School and was witnessed by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.  

Bue also informed “other municipalities in Region IX were also provided with relief and rehabilitation support which totaled to P11,681,760. The augmentation support was in form of relief goods, emergency shelter assistance and cash-for-work scheme provided to affected families." (JPA/PIA9)