Aklan’s SSS Needs P.5 Billion For Rehab

by Venus G. Villanueva

The Social Services Sector (SSS) in Aklan needs a total of P425 million to do its part in the rehabilitation of Aklan after Typhoon Frank’s destruction which rendered many Aklanons homeless.
The amount came out after the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in Kalibo, Aklan together with Municipal Health Officers, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, Municipal Engineers, Rural Health Physicians and representatives from public utilities sector like the Aklan Electric Cooperative and Metro Kalibo Water District planned together in a rehabilitation workshop. They talked about programs and projects to help victims recover after Typhoon Frank.
For those whose houses were totally damaged, projects identified by the sector include CORE shelter, Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and Cash for Work. For CORE shelter for the town of Kalibo, a budget of P2.2 million is needed. The identified source of fund is the DSWD, while the implementing agencies are the MSWDO, MPDC, MHO, AKELCO, MKWD and Municipal Engineer. Requirements of the project include relocation site, certification from Mines and Geosciences Bureau, project proposal and certificate of eligibility and list of beneficiaries.
On the other hand, Emergency Shelter Assistance will benefit 16 municipalities which needs P112.1 million to be implemented from August to December 2008. The fund will come from the DSWD. The Cash for Work Program will also benefit 16 municipalities which needs a budget of P13.1 million.
For partially damaged houses, projects identified include Emergency Shelter Assistance, Cash for Work, SEA-K, DCC Instructional materials, supplemental feeding and procurement of medicines.
For Aklan’s 16 municipalities badly hit by Typhoon Frank, P215.3 million is needed for ESA targeted for implementation from August to December 2008. Cash for work, on the other hand will need fund of P50.4 million to be implemented with the same time frame, while SEA K, with 75-100 groups will need P12 million within one year implementation. Day Care Center instructional materials and Supplemental Feeding Program for 40 days need P5 million each while the provincewide procurement of medicines needs P10 million.
Based on the plan, major funding source identified is the DSWD. The DOH is identified as the fund source of medicines while non-government organizations like Plan International and World Vision will also be providing fund assistance.
The sector targets to have the medicines before the end of this year as these are badly needed by the people for illness prevention after the typhoon.
The rehabilitation plan for the social services sector was prepared by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Elma Malbas and approved by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez. /MP