P7M released as transpo aid to ‘Yolanda’ survivors returning to Visayas

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday it would continue its “Balik Probinsiya” (return-to-the-province) program by providing transportation assistance to survivors of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman said a total of 5,572 displaced families or 23,489 individuals arrived in Metro Manila, from November 16, 2013 to January 2, 2014 during the “Oplan Salubong” (Operation Welcome) Operations at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Soliman said the DSWD-National Capital Region (NCR) Field Office social workers have been assessing those who have signified their interest to return to their respective hometowns through the DSWD’s Balik Probinsya program.

As of January 15, 2014, some P7 million has been disbursed by the DSWD for the transportation needs of 1,250 families or 6,250 individuals since December 20, 2013.

The DSWD-National Capital Region has been assessing the remaining Yolanda survivors who would like to avail themselves of the program as Eastern Visayas is returning to normal two months after the devastation.

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