Yolanda survivors in Capiz, Aklan have yet to get rehab fund

MANILA, Philippines - Survivors of the supertyphoon Yolanda are now asking from the national government the P30,000 rehabilitation fund they have been promised for rebuilding their homes and livelihood.

According to fisherfolk group Pamalakaya,  after its consultations in the provinces of Aklan and Capiz,  some 15,000 Yolanda-affected families have yet to receive the funds the Department of Interior and Local Government head Mar Roxas and the Department of Social Work and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman promised to give them.

The two government agencies promised to give at least P 20,000 for the repair of boats and another P 10,000 for the repair of houses, Pamalakaya said.

"Some 15,000 fishing and coastal families in Roxas City and Panay are still waiting for Mar and Dinky to fulfill their oath and concretize their obligations since December 8 last year.It has been nearly five months when the promise of economic rehabilitation was made," Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Corpuz said.

He said the national government will only spend P 450 million for the request of 15,000 fishing families in Capiz.

Last March 26,  in a consultation held in Barangay Tambak in New Washington province of Aklan , Pamalakaya found out that rehabilitation assistance from the national and local government units and were made to receive token assistance such as epoxy, plywood and some kilos of nail for boat repair.

The consultation with Yolanda fisherfolk victims was facilitated by Pamalakaya-Aklan, Task Force Tabang Aklan and the Iloilo City based Fisheries Marine Environment Research Institute (FMERI).

It was attended by nearly 100 village leaders and members of the local fisherfolk group affiliated with Pamalakaya.

Pamalakaya and other organizations said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' Rehabilitation Initiative that involves the building 10,000 fishing boats for 20,000 families was never felt in Aklan and other Yolanda-hit areas.