In photo, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Protective Programs, Vilma Cabrera, says “we are just waiting for the official approval of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation (OPARR) Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan for Yolanda,” referring to the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program for Yolanda victims, during a consultation dialogue with national government agencies and humanitarian groups held this week in Tacloban City. She clarified that the DSWD originally proposed for financial assistance of Php30,000.00 for victims with totally destroyed houses, and Php10,000.00 for those with partially destroyed houses. Due to the increasing prices of construction materials, the OPARR suggested for Php70,000.00 for households with totally damaged houses and Php30,000.00 for those with partially damaged houses, but only that which are situated in safe zones. She reported that the DSWD in Manila will have a meeting today, August 20 to really define and decide what “safe zone” and “unsafe zone” are. The visiting official said that the determination is not purely technical; the socio-cultural and economic factors will be considered, this in the light of the agency’s criteria for eligibility that houses should be located in safe zones. The results of the discussion will be submitted to the OPARR. Beside her (left) is DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Restituto Macuto.# (Vina P. Aquino, R.I.O.)