The San Juan City local government together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the first day and orientation of its "cash-for-work" program aiming to help the residents of the city earn while doing their part in keeping the environment clean and sustainable.
Held at the San Juan Gym, the program was spearheaded by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and his sister, San Juan City Rep. Bel Zamora, and attended by other city government and DSWD officials.
Mayor Zamora said that a total of 1,423 beneficiaries will each receive P5,370 for the 10-day work period.
"Ang Cash-for-Work program ay isang 10-day program kung saan maglilinis po ang ating mga mamamayan ng ating waterways, mga lugar sa kanilang tahanan at barangay upang siguraduhing ito ay malinis at maayos (The Cash-for-Work program is a 10-day program where beneficiaries will help clean San Juan's waterways and the surrounding areas of their homes and barangays to ensure that these are clean and sustainable)," the mayor said.
Rep. Zamora noted that despite the program being a short-term project, it will definitely benefit not just the participants but also the city residents.
Mayor Zamora then stressed the importance of having a good relationship between the mayor and congressman/congresswoman in the realization of such programs.
"Ito ay isa nanamang halimbawa na basta ang mayor at congressman o congresswoman ay nagtutulungan, nakikita natin na napakarami natin talagang magagawa para sa ating lungsod, sapagkat kung hindi nagtutulungan ang mayor at congresswoman eh 'yung mga ganitong programa ay mahirap maipatupad (This is another great example that as long as the mayor and the congressman or congresswoman are working together, a lot of things can be made for the benefit of the city, because if the two are not working together, these types of programs will be difficult to implement)," he said.
According to the city government, the 2023 Cash-for-Work program in San Juan is part of its Risk Resiliency Program for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation - Disaster Risk Reduction (RRP-CCAM), which aims to provide temporary employment to individuals who are affected by disasters and unforeseen events and give them financial aid for their families.
"Nilalayon din nito na himukin ang kanilang partisipasyon sa pagpapatupad ng programang pangkomunidad na nagnanais na mai-angat ang kanilang kahandaan sa kalamidad, mabawasan ang bigat ng negatibong maaaring epekto nito, at maitaas ang kakayahan na tumugon sa mga pangangailangan o bumangon sa anumang negatibong epekto nito (The project also aims to promote their active participation in implementing community programs that aim to improve their preparedness for disasters, ease their possible effects, and uplift their capabilities in responding to arising needs, or recover from negative impact of calamities)."