BORACAY ISLAND — The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (Western Visayas) have already provided financial assistance to a total of 1,021 formal and informal workers as of Thursday afternoon.
These are among the individuals who have waited in line at the DSWD-6 operation center located in the Station 2 of the island since they established the center last April 7.
The displaced workers can avail of the assistance before leaving the island resort.
The department has released PHP2.5 million for the financial assistance given to the beneficiaries, said DSWD-6 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala. Each beneficiary is allowed to request for a maximum of PHP5,000.
The displaced workers were provided with transportation and meal allowances in going back home, Geamala told the media in an interview.
To receive assistance, the displaced workers have to present a company ID, certificate of eligibility, certificate from the company, photocopy of business permit and photocopy of purchased ticket/s.
The displaced workers will be referred to their respective social welfare development officers to be provided with support services under the department once they were already back home, she added.
She said the workers could avail of the Sustainable Livelihood Program to be able to earn money after losing their job due to the temporary closure of the resort island.
While the DSWD has estimated nearly 37,000 displaced formal and informal workers in the island, Geamala said that some already left the island without seeking assistance from them.
But she said that they hope to assist more of the displaced workers, especially those who need assistance the most.
The operation center of DSWD here is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The center will remain open as long as there are still clients seeking help, she added. (PNA)
