‘Yolanda’ survivors in Aklan still hope gov’t to fulfill its promise

                                                                                                                 photo aklan forum journal

 BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets in Kalibo, Aklan raising slogans and placards against the ‘delayed’ government’s assistance to Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

Five years ago, Aklan province felt the wrath of the super typhoon on November 8, 2013, leaving thousands homeless and infrastructures destroyed.

More than 100 protesters from Rise Up Aklan, Gabriela-Aklan, Panguma and Kadamay-Aklan gathered in Aklan Trade Hall in the Provincial Capitol then walked towards Crossing New Washington-Banga where speeches were heard and fists raised in solidarity to demand government promises.

At the march, young and old carried placards saying “Remaining P5,000 PFA, Release Now!”, “Housing for Yolanda Victims, Saan na!” and “Tama na, Sobra na, Train Law, Ibasura !.”

Rise Up Aklan provincial coordinator Kim Sin Tugna hopes the government will prioritize the needs of the Yolanda victims in the province.

“Limang taon na ngunit may mga Yolanda survivors na hindi pa nakatanggap ng tulong sa gobyerno,” he said.

According to Tugna, some 59,000 Yolanda victims in Panay Island have yet to receive the P5,000 financial aid funded by socio-civic fund of President Rodrigo Duterte. In Aklan, the cash aid did not reach 11,000 beneficiaries.

“May dialogue ang Kusog sang Pumuluyo sa mga government agencies sa itong P5,000 assistance at ibang usapin sa Yolanda,” Tugna added.

Families whose homes were destroyed by ‘Yolanda’ have pinned their hopes that they will be relocated to resettlement sites five years since super typhoon struck Aklan and the Visayas regions. 

The government is also facing flak on Boracay closure which resulted to displaced workers and residents lining up for government assistance in the barangays of Yapak, Balabag and Manoc-Manoc and the mainland Malay. 

Protesters called on government agencies to hasten the rehabilitation efforts of Boracay Island six months after the premier destination was closed to tourists.

They held slogans “Boracay closure + Mass Lay-off = Gutom” and “Boracay Closure Halit sa Pumuluyo.” They were frustrated also on the lack of relocation sites for illegal settlers affected by the ongoing wetlands recovery.  

On same day, President Duterte visited the island  to distribute 3.2 hectares of land in Sitio Angol in Barangay Manoc-Manoc to members of Ati community.