The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already assisted 1,300 displaced workers or a total of Php 3 million worth of funds from April 23 to 26, according to DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Leyco.

The individuals being assisted were given transportation and other financial assistance of the DSWD under its program Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situation (AICS).  To note, the department opened the Operation Centers last April 23.

The department is extending all the possible assistance that it can provide for the individuals and families affected during the six-month closure of Boracay. OIC Leyco discussed other programs of the department that will be offered to the residents and workers of Boracay Island such as Cash for Work, Social Pension, Supplementary Feeding Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program.

To address the influx of individuals seeking financial and transportation assistance, one or two more operation centers are yet to be open to accommodate them. The department is looking at the possible transfer of the Operation Centers to a bigger and more client-friendly venue.

DSWD has already increased the number of personnel in the current Operation Center. The department will further explore options to increase the number of staff and personnel in its nearby Field Offices to better serve the people of Boracay.

The department has also suspended some of the Pantawid conditionalities in order to immediately respond to the needs of the workers and residents in the island.

Asked for the long term assistance by the department, OIC Leyco explained the importance of SLP program as livelihood assistance and the possibility of providing help in looking for new jobs that may or may not be related to tourism.