DAVAO CITY — More than 500 women from Basey, Samar who were affected by typhoon Yolanda appealed for livelihood support from various government agencies.
In a unity statement crafted during their First Rural Summit, the women who came from 24 barangays in the towns of Basey, Marabut and Sta. Rita specifically asked for capital support, equipment, and additional skills and trainings. They also asked for help in linking their products to the market.
“We hope to receive capital resources and machineries that we could use for our livelihood,” the women said.
They also appealed for increased access to social services such as health and nutrition.
During the summit, there was also a commitment signing with representatives of various local government agencies such as the Provincial Agriculture Office, Department of Trade and Industry and the Provincial Government of Samar.
The women also took the opportunity to feature some of their products such as organic vegetables and fruits, handicrafts and native delicacies through a mini trade fair.
In a statement to the press, the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Calbayog and NASSA/Caritas Philippines said about 406 women were already provided support through the provisions of egg laying implements, capital assistance for mat weavers and mat weavers’ centers, duck poultry for salted egg production, and backyard farming.
“Aside from livelihood, the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Calbayog also implemented interventions on shelter, disaster risk reduction, ecosystem, and water, sanitation and hygiene to typhoon Yolanda survivors in the province,” it said.
“Yolanda may have destroyed the livelihood of the people of Samar, but it has restored as well the sense of self-worth of the women,” Social Action Center Yolanda Rehabilitation Program Director Fr. Cesar Aculan said. (davaotoday.com)
