By Janine Dumaguin
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, March 10 said it will roll out a Cash-For-Work program to help residents in Oriental Mindoro, Antique, and Palawan that were affected by the oil spill from the sunken oil tanker MT Princess Empress.
DSWD Spokesperson Romel Lopez said that the intended beneficiaries are those affected fisherfolk and families who belong to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“[Tinatapos] na nating ma-validate sila (beneficaries) para masimulan na natin kaagad itong ating pamamahagi ng Cash-For-Work and then ito ay maari nating i-extend kung talagang kakailanganin,” Lopez said in a public briefing.
DSWD estimates that over 14,000 household beneficiaries will receive assistance amounting to P355, which is based on the minimum wage in the Mimaropa.
The Cash-for-Work program will begin on March 15, while the distribution of family food packs is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Department will also have an Emergency-Cash-Transfer program to over 1,000 individuals in Agutaya, Palawan.
“Pagdating sa pondo, hindi dapat mabahala ang ating mga kababayan dahil iyong atin namang mga pondo para sa ating relief operation ay nananatiling nandiyan. Nasa 2.1 billion pa iyong halaga ng ating standby funds ng ahensiya para i-ayuda natin sa ating mga kababayan,” Lopez added. – cf
