South Cotabato, Philippines — Twenty-nine (29) families affected by fire incidents in Barangays Cannery Site and Poblacion in Polomolok received financial assistance from the Provincial Government of South Cotabato through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (OPSWDO), providing immediate support to help them recover from the losses caused by the recent fires.
Sonia L. Bautista, RSW, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, turned over the assistance as part of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato’s continuing commitment to provide immediate support to families affected by disasters and emergencies.
Bautista emphasized that the Provincial Government remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable families receive timely and appropriate assistance during times of crisis.
“The Provincial Government of South Cotabato recognizes the challenges that families face after a disaster. Through this financial assistance, we hope to provide immediate relief and help them begin the process of recovery. Our commitment is to stand with our constituents during difficult times and ensure that no family is left behind,” Bautista said.
The financial aid aims to help beneficiaries address their urgent needs and ease the burden caused by the devastating fire. It also serves as a form of support as affected families work to rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods, and recover from their losses.
Among the recipients was Juliana Villaro, owner of a boarding house that was among the properties affected by the fire. She expressed her gratitude to the Provincial Government for the assistance extended to the affected families.
“We are deeply grateful for the support provided by the Provincial Government. The fire caused significant damage and uncertainty for many families, including our tenants. This assistance gives us hope and helps us move forward as we begin rebuilding our lives and recovering from the incident,” Villaro shared.
The assistance distribution underscores the Provincial Government’s steadfast dedication to delivering responsive social welfare services and disaster response interventions to communities affected by calamities.
Through collaborative efforts and the continuous implementation of social protection and disaster response programs, the OPSWDO remains focused on promoting the welfare, resilience, and recovery of individuals and families across South Cotabato.
Provincial officials emphasized that disaster recovery goes beyond immediate relief, highlighting the importance of sustained support and community cooperation in helping affected residents rebuild stronger and safer communities.
