Coron, Palawan – One year after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged this island, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman lauded the convergent effort made by the local government unit for sustained rehabilitation.

Sec. Soliman together with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Governor Jose Alvarez visited Coron on November 12, to attend a short program to commemorate the first anniversary of ‘Yolanda’

Over 200 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who were victimized by TS Yolanda attended the program. “Patuloy po na magbibigay ang DSWD ng karagdagang tulong para sa tuloy-tuloy na pagbangon muli, at mabilis na pag-unlad ng mga sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda,” Sec. Soliman was quoted saying.

Fifty-five families received livelihood capital assistance while over 150 residents each received a sack of rice as part of the ‘pabaon pack’ project. “Malaki na ang ipinagbago ng Coron, sa tulong ng iba’t-ibang ahensya, lalo na ang DSWD, naging madali ang ating, pag-ahon,” said Gov. Alvarez during his welcome message.

Junewind Sigano, 51, whose house was wiped out in the onslaught of Yolanda received a ‘pedicab’ for livelihood along with 13 beneficiaries. “Malaking tulong po ito para maipag-patuloy ko ang hanapbuhay kong maglako ng isda,” said Junewind. DSWD focuses on providing livelihood to increase economic capacity of Yolanda victims. Aside from provision of pedicabs, 47 DSWD-funded motorized bangkas will be given to further support income-generation of the victims.

A newly constructed Day Care Center, through the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS program has also been turned over to Barangay Poblacion One during the program.###