Villar extends assistance to four more Yolanda-affected areas in Leyte
To distribute roofs, vegetable seeds, coconut seedlings, fertilizers,
and motorized boats in Calubian, Leyte, Tabango and Villaba

Senator Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, continues to extend help and support in typhoon Yolanda-affected areas, particularly to Leyteño farmers, fishermen and their families.

After visiting the towns of Dulag, Julita, Mayorga and Tanauan in Leyte last month, Villar will fly to Leyte again on Thursday (January 16). She will visit the towns of Calubian, Leyte, Tabango and Villaba to help in the ongoing rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts in the province.

"We want to help as many people as we can. The momentum to start anew is there already, we will provide them with what they need, so that they will be on track in rebuilding their lives, homes and livelihoods," said Villar.

Villar will distribute farm implements from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to 500 families in each town. These include 75 bags of vegetable seeds (such as corn, pechay, tomato, okra and ampalaya) and 125 to 500 coconut seedlings (depending on the size of their land) as well as 500 bags of organic fertilizers from Villar Foundation. Food packs will also be provided.

Villar will also hand out certificates of 10 motorized fishing boats with nets to fishermen and cooperatives, from DA and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in each town. "Farmers and fishermen need to be prioritized since most of the affected areas rely on agriculture. It is important for them to get back on their farms and on the sea to their lives and that of their families will normalize," Villar said.

Villar will also provide roofing materials (G.I. sheets and nails) to families, whose houses were destroyed by typhoon Yolanda, in each of the four towns cited.

"I learned that there are still some houses which are yet to be repaired. We will at least make sure that their roofs will be fixed. That's the most urgent and important--a roof over their heads," said Villar.

Villar is accompanied by a team from the Department of Agriculture (DA) led by Undersecretary Emerson Palad; Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna; and BFAR national director Asis Perez.