In continuation of the assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to residents affected by the closure of Boracay Island to tourists, the agency through its Field Office (FO) in Region VI has released a total of P5,363,630 to 1,658 beneficiaries of the Cash-for-Work (CFW) program during the second tranche of payout for the ­­first batch of CFW beneficiaries last July 7, 2018 in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

The CFW releases are distributed in three tranches every after ten days of work.

The labor force, who were mostly displaced women workers, were engaged in the clean-up of wetlands, coastal areas, and the removal of debris during demolition.

They were provided with personal protective equipment such as sweat shirts, buri hat, and gloves since most of them were exposed to hazardous environment.

Currently, another CFW proposal submitted by an association of divers in Boracay is being examined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force (BIATF) to be submitted to the DSWD which involves underwater clean-up operation featuring the collection of waste materials such as plastics, bottles and other solid wastes, and the removal of Crown-of-Thorn, a species of starfish that feed on corals.

Meanwhile, as of July 23, 2018, the total grants disbursed under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program is P41,236,347.58. Majority of these were disbursed to 10,391 beneficiaries of the transportation assistance followed by educational assistance provided to 5,275 clients, medical assistance given to 1,318 clients, and 14 clients were given burial assistance.

For the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), some 5,691 beneficiaries received a total of P85,365,000 worth of assistance. Profiling, assessment, focus group discussions, and livelihood assistance grant utilization monitoring are continuously being conducted by the DSWD in coordination with barangay captains and other concerned local government offices for the implementation of the program.

“On the third month of Boracay’s closure, the DSWD is continuously coordinating with concerned agencies to deliver the needs of our affected kababayans and relieve their anxiety due to loss of their livelihood,” said DSWD Secretary Virginia N. Orogo.

“We also welcome other government agencies, especially the DPWH and DENR, to hire CFW laborers in Boracay who have already completed their 30 days of work since this will greatly help augment the income of our displaced kababayans,” she said. ###