The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than P1.41 million in relief and financial assistance to the victims of the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck Masbate province last August 18.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista went to Masbate to personally "oversee the provision of aid and ensure that all the needs of affected families are met,” the department said in a statement.
(AFP PHOTO / Courtesy of Jake Gabilan / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
During his visit to the hardest-hit municipality of Cataingan last Aug, 26, Bautista led the distribution of P5,000 cash aid to 35 families whose houses were totally damaged by the earthquake, and the distribution of family food packs to affected families with partially damaged houses.
Joining him was DSWD Field Office V Regional Director Arnel Garcia.
Bautista assured the victims that the DSWD is ready to "provide ample and timely augmentation support to local government units especially during disasters.”
Citing the report made by the DSWD Field Office V, the DSWD said it has provided 1,103 family food packs, rolls of laminated sacks, and tents, worth P915,478.36, and extended cash aid worth P325,000 to 65 affected families in the municipalities of Cataingan, Palanas, and Pio V. Corpus in Masbate.
Bautista also handed over the checks to Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) beneficiaries in Dimasalang, Masbate, which are expected to implement their respective Sustainable Livelihood Program Association projects, the DSWD disclosed.
The recipients were the Buracan ECommunity Store, Buracan Egg Producer, and the Masagana Agrivet Farm Supply, it said.
The Buracan Community SLPA received P226,102.50 in livelihood aid to benefit 14 recipients. Buracan Egg Producers got a check amounting P452, 205 to be given to 26 beneficiaries.
The Masagana Agrivet and Farm Supply SLPA, which involves 20 recipients, was given P347, 850 worth of livelihood assistance.
According to the Department, the projects were funded through the Microenterprise Development Track-Seed Capital Fund modality (MD-SCF) of SLP, a livelihood project of the DSWD.
The MD-SCF Track focuses on starting, expanding or rehabilitating micro-enterprise activities and includes entrepreneurship, technical – vocational and soft skills training, the DSWD said.
"With the current pandemic, the Department will continue to provide assistance to vulnerable sectors through the provision of appropriate interventions to sustain their basic needs and livelihood,” it assured the public.