DOST extends cash assistance to another landslide relocation community
By Erna Sy Gorne
Southern Leyte (11 October) -- Another landslide community has been slated to be recipient of more funding assistance to start their livelihood project in Barangay Magatas, St. Bernard, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Provincial Director Engr. Dominador Clavejo disclosed recently.
Barangay Magatas, one among the barangays who lies along the foot of Mt. Kaabag and were ordered total barangay evacuation following the massive landslide that claimed 1,112 lives where 973 bodies were not recovered last February 17 in Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard.
Other at high risk to landslide barangays who were also evacuated to safer grounds were as follows: Sug-angon, Ayahag, Nueva Esperanza, Hinabian, Atuyan and Kauswagan.
During the regular meeting at the Provincial Developing Rural Industries and Village Enterprise (DRIVE) Committee, Engr. Clavejo reported that their agency already transferred their cash assistance to the Municipal Treasurer?s Office of St. Bernard as a start up for the virgin coconut oil production, a viable livelihood project for a largely coconut grown Barangay Magatas.
It was learned that although these barangays were totally evacuated to their respective relocation sites but they were still allowed to work at their farmlands during daytime only.
Provincial DRIVE Chairperson Governor Rosette earlier submitted to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) five livelihood project proposals in the total amount of Php 3 million for the following relocation sites in Barangays Catig and Malangza in Lilo-an, Barangay Pinut-an in San Ricardo, Brgy. Magbagakay in San Juan , and Barangay Pasanon in San Francisco. (PIA-Southern Leyte) [top]
