The Regional Development Council of CALABARZON Region (Region IV-A) recently provided assistance to the 95 Typhoon Yolanda-affected families from Eastern Visayas are now starting new life in Isla Bonita, Rosario, Cavite.

The Council, represented by Directors Agnes Espinas of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Mylah S. Gatchalian of the Dept of Social Welfare and Development, together with the local government officials of Rosario headed by Mayor Jose ‘Nonong’ Ricafrente, visited the said families and distributed family food packs, bottled water, home wares, clothes and carpentry tool kits.

According to Dir Gatchalian, the assistance provided is in line with the government’s intention to ensure that the victims of Typhoon Yolanda are provided with appropriate services and opportunities to ensure that they get over the tragic experiences they had gone through and start rebuilding their lives regardless of where they have decided to stay now.

Mayor Ricafrente, on his part, shared his intention to make Isla Bonita the Rug Making Capital of Cavite and eventually help the Typhoon Yolanda relocatees in the area earn income.

“I was among the first to arrive here at Isla Bonita and we are thankful to the local government for accommodating us and helping us start a new life.  We are also thankful to the different government agencies here in CALABARZON for the assistance you provided,” Rhodora Abeta, President of the Yolanda survivors in Isla Bonita, said.

Aside from accommodating the relocatees, the local government of Rosario also helped the said families look for jobs locally and assist in the accommodation of school-age children in nearby schools.

Also present during the activity was DTI Cavite Provincial Director Noly Guevarra who in turn committed to assist in marketing their rugs and engaging in other income generating opportunities.

Further, Dir Espinas and Dir Gatchalian  also committed to raise to the Regional Development Council the possibility of adopting the area primarily for hosting / accommodating Typhoon Yolanda survivors from the Visayas, and would explore other possible assistance from the Council. With reports from MSGatchalian