The Boholano resilience wowed international aid agency of the Australian Government. On his third visit here in the province, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell addressed affected families in Sagbayan, expressing deep sympathy in behalf of the people of Australia for the loss of life and destruction after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Oct.15. Tweddell was joined by AusAID Minister Counselor Layton Pike, World Food Programme Country Director Praveen Agrawal, DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman, and Gov. Edgar Chatto. The DSWD, the Provincial Government, and AusAID through the World Food Programme have combined efforts to begin the new relief plan for the quake-hit towns.

Together, the group visited the new relief operations center, complementary to the main operations at the Bohol Cultural Center, which has been opened in Tubigon for the new distribution scheme. Over the long weekend, the family food packs for dispatch contain 20 kg of rice, 10 cans of sardines, 10 cans of beef loaf, 10 packs of noodles, 10 packs of coffee, and 10 packs of chocolate drink. Each family food pack is good for two weeks. Seventeen hard-hit towns were ranked based on poverty incidence level, number of damaged houses, and number of displaced families. DSWD said this will ensure orderly and equal distribution of relief goods in the priority areas.

Three more rounds of distribution have been scheduled for November 16-18, December 1-3, and December 16-17, with family food packs containing 20 kg of rice, 6 cans of sardines, 5 cans of beef loaf, 5 cans of corned beef, 5 cans of pork and beans, 5 cans of sausage, and 10 packs of coffee. Tweddell further stated that the people of Australia are happy to be of help to Bohol, which has been a model of partnership with Australia in roads, agriculture, and capacity development programs with the leadership of Chatto. The group also dropped by nearby Calape town and met with Mayor Junie Yu who was with validators checking on the listing of beneficiaries. They went on to inspect Moalong Bridge in Loon before heading to Sagbayan for the relief distribution. The Australian Embassy said in a statement that it is contributing P124 million in relief and assistance to the Visayas. Forty-four million pesos of this amount will be allotted for food and non-food relief items as well as health kits for pregnant and lactating mothers, while P40M is for critical relief needs in shelter, water and sanitation, and early recovery, and P40M more for replenishment of prepositioned supplies with partners. (Leah Sumampong)