Basco, BATANES- DSWD Field Office 02 Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan personally awarded the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to Ivatans who were affected during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette during her recent trip to the province. An amount of P5, 713,000.00 worth of cash for work assistance was also extended to 670 families.

Typhoon Odette, which landed with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gustiness of up to 250 kph has greatly affected the province. With its strong winds and heavy rains resulted to the uprooting of trees, toppled down electrical post, damaged infrastructure/houses and heavy damage on agricultural crops and live stocks.

Massive relief operations were immediately conducted to families inside and outside evacuation centers / areas to temporarily ease from the crisis situation of affected families thru the convergence efforts and combined resources/logistical supports from the Local Government Units, National Government Agencies, NGOs and private sectors.

Also present during the awarding were local officials of the province. Gov. Vicente Gato as well with the local chief executives of the six municipalities expressed his gratitude to DSWD for its continuous commitment in serving the poor, especially during times of disasters and calamities.

Joining Dir. Tapipispisan during her travel to Batanes were Ms. Lucia S. Alan, Head of the Protective Services Unit, Mr. Franco G. Lopez, Head of the Disaster Management , Mr. Romel Gammiao, DM SWO II , Ms. Vicenta Pamittan, Convergence Regional Coordinator, Ms. Joseline R. Ramos, Regional Accountant. ### By Franco G. Lopez, SWO II and Focal Person- Disaster Riskand Reduction Management