MALATE, MANILA— The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MiMaRoPa releases a total of 22 million pesos budget for the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) of 734 typhoon Yolanda-affected families in Busuanga, Coron and Culion Palawan.
ESA is a cash grant provided to families whose houses are either totally or partially damaged. It may be released in cash or in the form of construction materials, dependent on the situation favorable to beneficiaries and the timelines set.
Aside from families who have no permanent source of income or whose income is below the poverty threshold. The following are also eligible to receive ESA according to guidelines:
- Families whose houses were either partially or totally damaged located in safe areas or in controlled areas;
- Families who are renting or sharing houses which are totally or partially damaged provided they are listed in the official DSWD- Disaster Family Access Card (DAFAC);
- Families whose heads are employed in government or private sector but whose term of employment are not permanent/regular and do not have housing loans;
- Regular employees of government and private sectors with fix monthly salary below P15,000.00;
- Individuals who are considered lone survivors due to the untimely demise of the other family members due to the typhoon; and
- Families listed in items 1-4 who already self-repair, may be granted the assistance as long as their names are included in DSWD-DAFAC.
The municipality of Busuanga received P8, 500, 00.00 for 284 ESA beneficiaries in four barangays while Culion received P6, 000,000.00 for 200 beneficiaries in 11 barangays and P7, 500,000.00 was funded for 250 recipients in six barangays of Coron, Palawan.
“Malaking tulong ito para mas magkaroon kami ng desenteng bahay. At sa halagang aming matatanggap higit na magiging matibay ang aming tahanan para hindi basta-bastang masisira ng anumang kalamidad,” said Elmar Alcantara, ESA recipient, San Rafael, Busuanga Palawan.
ESA grants of P30, 000.00 to families whose houses are totally damaged while victims with partially damaged can receive P10,000.00. The said financial aid will be distributed by the local government units thru the fund-transfer formalized by a Memorandum of Agreement between the department. Meanwhile, said LGUs are expected to liquidate the fund within this year. ###
