BORACAY – As of Monday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already released transportation assistance to 4,756 displaced island workers.
According to the DSWD, it has distributed travel assistance worth P11.3 million to the workers since April 23.
The transportation aid is part of the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
DSWD regional director Rebecca Geamala said the AICS program has a total allocation of P80 million.
Aside from the transportation assistance, residents and workers can also avail themselves of medical, education and even burial assistance under the AICS program.
“Those who have availed of transportation assistance will be referred to the DSWD offices in their respective provinces where they could avail of the other services of the agency,” said Geamala.
The DSWD will also provide jobs for residents and workers who will stay in Boracay through its Cash-for-Work Program.
The Cash-for-Work Program has a P77-million budget to cover at least 8,000 target individuals.
Those who will be hired through the program will help in the cleanup activities in the wetlands, forestlands and shorelines of the island for a month.
Meanwhile, the DSWD has started administering the Disaster Assistance Family Access Card program in three island villages.
This is to assess the households and to determine what DSWD programs they could avail themselves of.
The DSWD allocated P280 million for its sustainable livelihood program. (With a report from PNA/PN)
