Funds enough for 82,000 Zamboanga evacuees—DSWD

DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Manila, Philippines—Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman on Wednesday assured the public there were enough funds for the more than 82,000 people displaced by the conflict in Zamboanga City.

Soliman, in a statement, said an additional P16.5 million was released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region IX for relief goods for 16,533 families or 82,106 evacuees (as of Tuesday noon).

The agency said it has already released P25.5 million for the purchase of food packs, hygiene kits, blankets and other items since the clashes between the Moro National Liberation Front and government forces started on September 9.

Of those displaced by the clashes, 13,679 families or 70,884 individuals were staying at 30 evacuation centers in Zamboanga City.  The Joaquin Enriquez Jr. Memorial Sports Complex has the biggest number of evacuees with 9,065 families or 50,343 individuals.

Soliman said state social workers were also conducting supervised play activities for the children and stress-debriefing sessions.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer on Wednesday reported it was the preparation of food for the evacuees that posed problems for the government. In addition to tapping local caterers, the DSWD is looking into hiring some of the evacuees under a cash-for-work program.

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