Clock ticking for Yoly survivors in tent city
The survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda only have more than one month to stay in the tent city at South Road Properties (SRP).
“We are reminding them that their stay in the tent city will end next month since they were given three months to stay there,” said Ester Concha, chief of the city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).
Concha said most of the families shun the one month grace period and are asking for a reprieve. The DSWS chief, however, is firm on the deadline.
¨They need also to become independent. They will look for another place to stay after March 24,¨ she said.
The tent city was turned over by the regional Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the Cebu City government last December.
Necessities
During the first week, there were more than 70 families staying in the tent city, but the number went down after some decided to go back to Leyte.
There are now 54 families or more than 190 individuals at the tent city.
Concha said the Cebu City government has done its best to help the displaced families.
Food and other necessities were provided for by the city government with the help of non-government organizations (NGO).
¨There are a lot of donations and goods that were provided to them. They (victims) were not left alone,¨ she said.
Transportation
She said the victims were helped by the NGOs to find jobs and livelihood.
A vehicle was also provided to fetch the Yolanda victims to and from the SRP everyday.
Concha said they are also meeting with other agencies to discuss plans on what to do with the tent city occupants.
DSWD information officer Aileen Lariba said they will also wait on the Cebu City government for their plans for the displaced families before they will intervene.
¨If (Yolanda victims) need our help. They can come into our office and we will identify what kind of help they need,” Lariba said.
She said they will help cover the transportation of the families wishing to return to Leyte.
¨When it comes to employment or jobs, I think the victims can also inquire for help at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),¨ Lariba said.
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