Oct 262013
 
The government has so far provided some P189.52 million in assistance to residents of Zamboanga City affected by the fighting between government and Moro National Liberation Front forces last September, Malacañang said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government will continue addressing the needs of the affected families.

A Palace statement quoted her as saying the P189,520,762 includes food assistance, non-food items, financial assistance for transportation, medical costs or expenses, burial, and cash-for-work programs.

On the other hand, she said the Department of Social Welfare and Development still provides psychosocial and critical incident stress debriefing to those affected.

She added DSWD also set up special Day Care Centers and Child and Women-Friendly Spaces in the evacuation centers, including Supervised Neighborhood Play to ease the children’s anxiety.

For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways is conducting clearing operations in areas affected by the fighting.

The Palace said the government is readying P3.9 billion in funds to speed up rehabilitation and reconstruction, and has drafted a rehabilitation plan which takes into account the relocation, housing, shelter, livelihood, and other assistance for those affected. — LBG, GMA News