After the military has declared some areas to be safe, a number of evacuees from the armed conflict between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari faction in Zamboanga City are now returning home.

To ensure that those returning home will meet their daily food needs while starting anew, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide them with ‘pabaon’ packs.

To date, the DSWD has released “pabaon” packs to 930 families who have returned to their respective communities in Mampang, Talon-Talon, and Arena Blanco. The family-evacuees who returned home came from the following evacuation centers in Mampang – 602,  Lunzuran-200, JFE Sports Complex – 77, Boalan – 46 and Guiwan – 5.

Each  ‘pabaon’ pack contains 9 kilos of rice, 15 cans of sardines, 10 cans of corned beef, 20 pieces of noodles and 20 pieces of 3-in-1 coffee.  Each pack is valued at P 933.00 and is estimated to be good for one week.

The access cards of the returning evacuees are surrendered to the DSWD as soon as they receive their ‘pabaon’.

To date, 8,341 families or 40,511 persons are still housed in 27 evacuation centers around the city.   Family packs are given to families in evacuation centers every two days. ### October 17, 2013 (DSWD-Social Marketing Service)