Zamboanga City, September 22 — Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman today announced that the government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)will earmark a total of P3.9B for the early recovery and rehabilitation of those families affected by the ruthless Moro National Liberation Front-led crisis in Zamboanga City.
Secretary Soliman, who is on her 12th day stint in Zambanga City to oversee the continuing relief operations of the Department, emphasized that rehabilitation efforts are now being planned out by the DSWD in coordination with the Crisis Management Committee headed by Zamboanga City Mayor BengClimaco.
According to Secretary Soliman, the rehabilitation efforts will immediately commence once the city government of Zamboanga identifies the areas. “This is a huge challenge to us but the government is making sure that the early recovery and rehabilitation efforts are well organized and systematized,” she added.
“We will make sure that we will build back better communities for the affected families,” Secretary Soliman emphasized.
The rehabilitation plan for the victims of armed conflict in Zamboanga includes the continuing relief assistance for one month, balik-probinsiya program by providing the evacuees with transportation and incidental assistance, educational assistance to college students, supplementary feeding for children, cash-for-work program, construction of temporary and permanent shelters, and livelihood assistance.