Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director Nestor Ramos this week emphasized that it’s high time for all government agencies, local and international organizations and even individuals should work hand in hand with eac other to build back better communities. He encouraged all local government units to involve communities in the recovery and reconstruction phase through the Cash for Work (CFW) program, during the 25th Assembly of the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) at the Nativity of Our Lady College Seminar in Borongan City.
As of April 2, 2014, a total amount of Php 432,152,200 was allocated to 47 municipalities regionwide. Of the said total amount, Php 184, 269, 020 was transferred to 20 municipalities through the local government unit (LGU), Php 142,513,800 to 20 municipalities with check ready for release; and Php 57,720, 480 to six municipalities for check issuance, and Php 47,648,900 to eleven municipalities of Eastern Samar, already with funding but covered with World Food Program except for Guiuan which already have an on going implementation of the CFW came from the DSWD.
Director Ramos also reported other efforts of the agency in the recovery and reconstruction, , like the distribution of shelter kits through the Kalahi-CIDSS staffs. At present a total of 121, 099 corrugated galvanized iron (G.I.) sheets has been distributed to three prioritized municipalities, 64,019 in 22 barangays of Tanauan, Leyte; 45, 000 to 15 barangays in Guiuan Eastern Samar; and 13, 080 to three baranagys in Palo, Leyte. Ramos stated that 165,000 g.i. sheets are already with the Department of Public Works and Highways, which procures the shelter kits. These are now ready for transit to saturate barangays of Palo and Tanauan. He emphasized that other international humanitarian partners are also distributing shelter kits directly to other municipalities.
Meanwhile, during the same forum, Mayor Henry Afable of Maydolong, Eastern Samar expressed gratitude to the DSWD through the leadership of Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky” Soliman and Director Ramos. Afable stood up in behalf of the mayors who were present in the forum and said, “…damu nga salamat kay waray kagutom an mga tawo.” (… thank you very much because the people did not suffer from hunger).
The forum, themed as “Build Back, Build Better: Resiliency of local communities in Samar Island after Yolanda”, the activity was intended to come up with ways by which effective coordination and collaboration among will be intensified in relation to the post-disaster recovery of the affected areas.
SIPPAD is a partnership of the Church, Government, and Civil Society (NGO, Academe, Youth, etc.), in three provinces of Samar island. Its main conveners, were the Bishops of the Dioceses of Borongan, Calbayog and Catarman being advocates towards peace and development.