DSWD releases P24M for Yolanda victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday said it has distributed P24.5 million in shelter assistance to families in Laua-an, Antique, whose homes were destroyed by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said 817 families have so far received P30,000 each to help them rebuild their totally damaged homes.

The emergency shelter assistance allows for P30,000 to be given to a family whose house is totally damaged, while those with partially damaged houses receive P10,000.

Laua-an Mayor Francisco Baladjay welcomed the aid as he said it would help the affected families to move on with their lives.

“I am very grateful for the assistance the government, through the DSWD, has afforded to us. I will ensure that the aid will be put to good use,” Baladjay said.

To qualify for the shelter aid, a family must have no permanent sources of income or its income must be below the poverty threshold; the partially or totally damaged house must be located in safe areas; the family must be listed in the Disaster Family Access Card; the head of the family must not be a permanent or regular employee and does not have access to housing loans; the head of the family must have a monthly salary below P15,000; and the family must not have received assistance from other agencies.