By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Relief assistance was not something residents of this capital town were expecting nine months after super typhoon “Yolanda” struck.
So when aid from the national government came, those displaced by the typhoon happily lined up at the Magsaysay Park to get their share.
Some were moved to tears, other were visibly surprised.
One of them was Nena of Sitio Kawatihan, Barangay Pook here.
A mother of five, Nena said the assistance was very unexpected. She went to the Magsaysay Park with her youngest son.
Leading the distribution Thursday last week was the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the municipal government here.
Municipal Social Welfare Officer Lolly Espino said 10,235 relief packs were given out to residents in 16 barangays here whose houses were damaged or destroyed by the super typhoon.
The relief packs were part of DSWD’s ongoing assistance for typhoon-stricken areas in the Western Visayas.
Each pack contained 10 cans of sardines, 10 packs of noodles, 10 packs of coffee, and 10 cans of corned beef.
“May 25 kilos of rice pa from DSWD to be distributed to the beneficiaries,” Espino said.
A 67-year-old woman, one of the typhoon survivors here, tried to hold back her tears when volunteers started giving out the packs.
A resident of Barangay Estancia, she and her family rushed to the evacuation center when strong winds destroyed their house.
“Maabu nga bulig dayang relief supplies kamon, saeamat gid (Thank you for the relief supplies you have given us),” she said.
“Yolanda” struck Western Visayas, including Aklan, last November 8, claiming lives and destroying infrastructures and crops.
Three trucks transported the relief packs from the DSWD regional office in Iloilo City to Kalibo on Monday last week. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
