A total of 1,495 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner beneficiaries in Olongapo City who were affected by the Habagat that hit Region III received USAID hygiene kits and jerry cans from Plan International, an international organization involved in promoting children’s welfare.
The beneficiaries are from New Cabalan, Old Cabalan, Sta. Rita, Gordon Heights, and Kalaklan.
“We are thankful to USAID Philippines and Plan International for providing donations to our Pantawid Pamilya partner beneficiaries who are also victims of the Habagat flooding in Olongapo,” DSWD Field Office III Regional Director Adelina S. Apostol said.
Each hygiene kit contains bath soap, laundry soap, tooth paste, tooth brush, hair comb, face towel, sanitary pads, shampoo, and soap box from USAID. The jerry can came with a bottle of water disinfectant.
Edgar Viterbo, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) Programme Country Adviser of Plan International, Inc., said that the availability of an orderly list of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries expedited the distribution of relief goods.
Also during the relief distribution, Plan International conducted a demonstration on the right way to wash hands, brush teeth, and use of water disinfectant. Likewise, a demonstration on proper disposal of human waste in times of calamities was also conducted.
Annie Abitan, 36, of Barangay New Cabalan, was among the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who received the goods from Plan International. Annie is a Pantawid Pamilya assistant parent leader and her three children are covered by the program. She came for the relief distribution with 25 other beneficiaries from her barangay.
Annie’s husband, Ruel, works at a shipyard in Zambales. When Habagat hit Olongapo City, Ruel was unable to go to work adversely affecting their daily source of income.
“The relief goods that Plan International distributed today are good for one month. Instead of buying soap, toothpaste, and others, I can now budget our money for food,” Annie said.
Viterbo said that they will be back in the city with more relief packs. They hope to bring 2,000 more packs for their second batch of distribution. ###
