52 Akeanon Families Get New Homes This Christmas

52 Akeanon Families Get New 

Homes This Christmas

by RECTO I. VIDAL

Some 52 families will be celebrating their first Yuletide season on their disaster-resilient shelters given by the Diocesan Social Action Center (DSAC) of the Diocese of Kalibo under #REACHPhilippines Recovery Assistance to vulnerable communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan Project.

“The DSAC made it sure that all units of shelters followed the right resiliency features of the United Nations Shelter Cluster for the beneficiaries to stay in a safe and typhoon resilient houses. All the shelters were built with strong foundation, tied from the bottom, has strong braces, good quality materials, roofing, consideration of risks, appropriate shape and making the beneficiary and the community to better prepare  for another disaster,” Rev. Fr. Ulysses Dalida, DSAC-Kalibo Director, told the local media in a news conference.

“Right now, we have the assurance that these 52 families in Barangay Nalook, Kalibo will  celebrate their Christmas in their new homes,. Moreover, other eight barangays have their respective on-going constructions and are targeted to be turned over in January,” Fr. Dalida added.

The building of shelters is just one of the five programs under the #REACHPhilippines Projects of NASSA/Caritas Philippines  through the DSAC of the Diocese of Kalibo. The other programs are livelihood, WASH (Water, sanitation and Hygiene), Disaster Risk Reduction, and Capacity Building.

“We are very happy to see that we have helped many families before Christmas after the tragic event of Yolanda that ravaged their houses,” the priest further said.

It can be recalled that the turn-over of 52 units were conducted in Barangay Nalook in Kalibo, Aklan last November 8 in commemoration of Super Typhoon Yolanda. The blessing was presided by the Kalibo Bishop Most Rev. Jose Corazon T. Tala-oc, D.D. 

Aklan Is In A State Of Calamity

Aklan is placed under a state of calamity due to the destruction brought by Typhoon Ruby. 

Acting on the request of Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan declared Aklan in a state of calamity during a special session held on Monday morning.

A total of 15,231 families or 60,123 individuals have been evacuated in 184 barangays of the 17 towns of Aklan, according to Mr. Galo Ibardolaza of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office-Aklan.

With the said declaration, the Aklan provincial government can now utilize the remaining 30 percent or P11.6 million of the 5 percent calamity fund of Aklan, according to Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo.

The fund will be used for the relief and rescue operations of typhoon victims in the province. /MP