Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo and other DSWD officials joined President Rodrigo Duterte in this afternoon’s ceremony on the commemoration of the third year anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda at the Holy Cross Memorial Park Mass Grave, Barangay Basper, Tacloban City.

‘Yolanda’ battered the Visayas Region on November 8, 2013.

In his message, Pres. Duterte announced that ‘Yolanda’ survivors who were qualified to receive Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) but were unable to receive such from the previous administration will be given P10,000 each. DSWD and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will shell out P5,000 each to complete the full amount.

Sec. Taguiwalo explained that the amount is not an emergency shelter assistance but rather as a valid response to the clamor of families who were denied of their right to the assistance.

Solidarity

Since yesterday,  Sec. Taguiwalo has been going around ‘Yolanda’- hit areas in Leyte province to express her solidarity with the survivors.

She addressed the survivors in Tacloban,  “Una, ayaw na natin maulit ang ganoon na pinsala tulad ng ‘Yolanda’ na libu-libong nagbuwis ng buhay na marami sa kanila ang hindi na nakita ang bangkay.  Pangalawa, meron pa ring hindi natutulungan ng pamahalaan kahit tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan (First, we don’t want a repeat of what happened during ‘Yolanda’ wherein thousands died. Second, there are still many survivors who have yet to receive assistance three years after the disaster).”

The Secretary added,  “Nakiki-isa ako sa sa mga hinaing ng mamamayan (I am one with our countrymen’s woes),” as she discussed the issue on the implementation of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program.

She explained that President Rodrigo Duterte committed to find ways for government to assists those who have been deprived of help.

Sec. Taguiwalo also said that in terms of the on-going shelter assistance, DSWD will ensure that the construction of core shelters will be finished.  The Department will also assist in the provision of livelihood opportunities to the victims.

Moreover, the Secretary stressed that she is not looking for someone to blame as she shared the updates on the ESA implementation.  She said that the information DSWD is sharing is merely in response to the many queries of victims regarding ESA.

Sec. Taguiwalo added that the data on ESA and core shelter program recently released are the results of the assessment made by the DSWD internal audit team on the ‘Yolanda’ disaster operations.

The Secretary  made special mention of farmers and fishermen who were affected by the super typhoon and recognized their role in society, as they are the main food suppliers in the community.  She reminded them  and the other victims to organize themselves so that together they can help one another seek assistance and achieve development.

Sec. Taguiwalo concluded her visit to the province by proceeding  to the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY), a DSWD facility which was also hard-hit by ‘Yolanda’.

She also expressed her condolence to the center staff and clients who lost a social worker at the height of the super typhoon while going to work.

Addressing the center-residents, she said, “Ito ay panahon ng pagbabago.  Mahaba pa ang kinabukasan ninyo.  Paunlarin ang kakayahan ninyo para magkaroon ng katuparan ang inyong pangarap (This is the time for change.  You have the future ahead of you.  Develop and home your skills so that you can fulfill your dreams).”

In a related development in Region VI,  DSWD Assistant Secretary Hope Hervilla also visited ‘Yolanda’-hit areas and conducted a dialogue with the survivors in partnership with civil society organizations like  Rise-Up Aklan, Kusog Sang Pumuluyo, and Bayan Panay.

Asec. Hervilla emphasized the DSWD’s message to the more than 300 ‘Yolanda’ survivors who participated in the dialogue,  “Nasa lakas ng tao ang pagbabago (the power to achieve change is within  the people’s collective efforts).”

Asec. Hervilla, echoing the call of Sec. Taguiwalo,  also urged the survivors to organize themselves and with one voice, express their needs for development.

“We want real change, and this means everyone has to work,” Asec. Hope added.

Responding to the inquiries of the victims on the ESA provision, Asec. Hervilla explained, “While the Department cannot assure payment to the remaining 83,000 families who did not receive their cash assistance, DSWD can provide them with other available services like livelihood assistance and other basic services.”   ###