Batanes rehab starts this month

After being hit by the strongest typhoon this year, rehabilitation for the families struck by Typhoon ‘Ferdie’ in Batanes will finally start this October following planning and assessment made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Provincial Government of Batanes, and other member agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC).

As of October 6, the DSWD has already downloaded funds to DSWD-FO II for the implementation of the early recovery and rehabilitation efforts to assist the affected families.

The rehabilitation efforts include the already ongoing Cash-forWork for 4,549 individuals amounting to P18,331,875, Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) for 2,241 families with damaged houses amount-

ing to P30,550,000, and a Project Management and Administrative Support Fund of P2,241,386. Overall, the rehabilitation efforts amount to P51,123,261.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said that the immediate rehabilitation of Batanes is vital to ensure that the affected families can regain their normal lives and functioning.

She also lauded the people of Batanes for their resiliency and cited the strong coordination of national and local agencies involved in disaster response for their prompt delivery of genuine services to the typhoon victims. SUNNEX