PIA Press Release
Friday, January 06, 2012

DSWD Secretary assures shelter for TS ‘Sendong’ victims

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- Everyone will get a place.

This was the assurance of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman during a recent meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), region 10, following cited issues and concerns regarding the relocation of tropical storm ‘Sendong’ victims here.

While DSWD, in coordination with the city government, are making plans for the permanent shelter through its Core Shelter Assistance Program, internally displaced families are temporarily relocated to tent cities before classes resumes January 3.

“During our shelter meeting with City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, they have began moving families from City Central School in coordination with us, DSWD, wherein about 80 families have been moved to Calaanan,” Sec. Soliman.

The target of the city government of Cagayan de Oro is by the end of March this year, at least 60-70% of the families or approximately 3,000 families will be relocated to permanent shelters, she said.

In addition, DSWD will also be providing multi-purpose hall that will be made up of bamboo and ‘nipa’ hut during the transition to serve as classrooms. She added the need for teachers to serve the students living in the relocation site.

“It is important that while there may be some challenges, we are able to say that we are back in business, not everything may perfect but we are now okay. Things are back as much as possible,” Bro. Armin A. Luistro, Secretary of Education, meanwhile, pointed out.

With its early recovery and rehabilitation plan, DSWD is giving financial, emergency shelter, livelihood, core-shelter and cash for work (CFW) assistance to families affected by ‘Sendong’ in Northern Mindanao with a summary budget of Php1,590,000,000.00 as reported by Atty. Aracelli S. Solamillo, Regional Director, DSWD-10. (PIA-10)