DSWD to spend P3.9B for rehabilitation of families displaced by MNLF attack

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will earmark a total of P3.9 billion for the early recovery and rehabilitation of families and communities affected by the Moro National Liberation Front attack on Zamboanga City, according to Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman.

Soliman, on her second week in Zamboanga City to oversee the continuing relief operations of the DSWD, said that rehabilitation efforts have been planned out by the DSWD in coordination with the Crisis Management Committee headed by Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco.

She said the rehabilitation efforts would immediately commence upon the identification of the target areas by the Zamboanga city government.

“This is a huge challenge to us but the government is making sure that the early recovery and rehabilitation efforts are well organized and systematized,” she said. “We will make sure that we will build back better communities for the affected families.”

The rehabilitation plan for the victims of armed conflict in Zamboanga includes the continuing relief assistance for one month, balik-probinsiya program by providing the evacuees with transportation and incidental assistance, educational assistance to college students, supplementary feeding for children, cash-for-work program, construction of temporary and permanent shelters, and livelihood assistance.

The number of families displaced by the MNLF attack on Zamboanga City and which are still staying in 36 evacuation centers has been reduced to 111,983.

The DSWD, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Shelter Box International, will install 380 Shelter Box tents and 300 laminated plastic sheets to the evacuees of Cawa Cawa shoreline evacuation center in Zamboanga City, according to Soliman.

The social welfare secretary said these shelter box tents would significantly improve the dwelling condition of the Badjao evacuees particularly the women, children, elderly, and persons with disability in anticipation of the rainy days.

“Each tent, which measures 8 feet in diameter, can accommodate one family,” Soliman said.

The Rotary Club of Zamboanga and City Engineers Office will help in the installation of these Shelter Box tents.