Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary (DSWD) Corazon Juliano-Soliman announced today that 1,455 family-survivors of Yolanda have already transferred to 60 bunkhouses built by the government in Eastern Visayas.

Of these, 222 families are in Tacloban City; 81 families in Palo, Leyte; 429 families in Ormoc City; 50 families in Basey, Samar; and, 673 families in Eastern Samar.

“DSWD continues to coordinate its efforts on shelter with other government agencies, local government units and non-government organisations,” Sec. Soliman said.

Sec. Soliman emphasized that houses identified to be within 40 meters from the shoreline will no longer be allowed to be rebuilt in the same area.

Ermelita Ibabao, 39, a mother of two from Calubian, Barangay 88, said she is very grateful that they received a unit in the bunkhouse.

“Mas maayos po ang kalagayan namin dito sa bunkhouse kumpara sa tents na pinanggalingan namin pagkatapos ng ‘Yolanda’.  Unti-unting umaayos din po ang buhay namin dito,” Ermelita said.

According to Ermilita, they have received food packs and other non-food items before they transferred to the bunkhouse. ###