Guiuan ready to bounce back, looks for alternative jobs

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After “Yolanda” brought unprecedented devastation to the town of Guiuan, officials are now looking at alternative livelihood for survivors of the Eastern Samar coastal town, a statement said.

Despite an outpour of support, Rectito Melquiades, municipal risk reduction management operations center spokesperson, pointed out that the major concern is the livelihood of the people.

“Around 80 percent of our 47,087 population is dependent on fishing while 20 percent is into copra production,” Melquiades said.

The spokesman said that two of the alternative jobs being eyed are seaweed farming and poultry raising with some 500 seaweed farmers affected but Melquiades is optimistic that they could get back on track.

“We encourage farmers and fishermen to go back to work,” said Melquiades whose area suffered P1.2 million in damage to seaweed farms.

According to the statement, damage to the fishing industry amounted to P375.7 million while the livestock sector had initial losses amounting to P42.678 million and partial damage to agriculture was pegged at P27.681 million that affected 5,150 farmers.

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