Coron, Palawan – the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-MiMaRoPa along with International Labor Organizations (ILO) visited Barangay Malawig in Coron, Palawan – one of the hardest-hit barangays in the island of Coron, December 5, 2013.

Georgina Pascual, ILO’s Program Officer and Cyrus Juntilla, Field Coordinator has visited the island of Malawig twice to fully assess the extent of damage Yolanda had caused to the barangay.  ILO will implement a livelihood program to temporarily assist families who have left with no option for income.

On the other hand, Evelyn Legazpi, of DSWD IV-MiMaRoPa’s Budget Unit also set foot on Malawig to distribute social pension to senior citizens of the Barangay. “Medyo marami na din sa mga senior sa Malawig ang hindi pa nakakatanggap ng pension dahil nga malayo yung area sa munisipyo, tawid-dagat pa,” said Legazpi.

Bgy. Malawig is an island-strip off the northern coast of Coron, Palawan. The island is consisted of 160 households, all of which were severely battered, if not swept away completely, by the strong wind brought by typhoon Yolanda. The 815 families who have lost their houses and been displaced are living on makeshift tents as temporary shelter.