After providing relief assistance to Yolanda survivors in the Visayas, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya goes full swing in its long term projects that will help build back better the areas devastated by the storm surge. The rebuilding has three major components – livelihood, education and housing.
For livelihood, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya has committed a total of 4,000 fishing boats for Basey, Marabut and Sta. Rita, Samar and Dulag, Leyte. The distribution of the motorized boats which come complete with fishing gear and nets began in December. Another round of distribution will be staged on February 26 in Brgy. San Antonio, Basey, Samar.
All beneficiaries will be awarded their respective boats in two to three months time. To ensure the safety of fishermen and the fishing grounds, patrol boats will be given to selected municipalities. Other livelihood projects eyed for the different barangays of Basey and Dulag include crab cultivation (nursery and fattening), agriculture (planting of rice, banana, cacao and replanting of coconut trees), weaving (banig making) and ecotourism.
Basey and Dulag are areas assigned by Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) Secretary Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya. As part of government’s efforts in rebuilding areas devastated by Yolanda, it has identified donors from the private sector as either a Development Sponsor (in-charge of area planning) or Sector Sponsor (funders and managers of projects for livelihood, infrastructure, health, education etc.). ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya has taken on Basey and Dulag as both their Development and Sector sponsor. All rebuilding efforts are conducted in consultation with the community and coordination with the local government units.
ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya extends its assistance beyond the areas identified by government with projects in education and livelihood. It has turned over last January 12 to the Department of Education San Fernando Elementary School in Tacloban. It is said to be the first school to be rebuilt in all of the Yolanda affected provinces. A series of ground breaking events will be held beginning February 26 in Eastern and Western Visayas as ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya builds classrooms in Samar, Leyte, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Panay Island and Palawan. In terms of livelihood, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya has identified a number of coastal areas as recipients of passenger boats to help jumpstart tourism activities in key areas.
As a significant percentage of the survivors are in dire need of shelter, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya has included among its long term efforts the provision of houses. At present it is evaluating proposals for the construction of typhoon resistant dwellings and potential relocation sites.
For information on ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya rebuilding projects, please visit www.abscbnnews.com/tulongph.
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN