Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday said it is possible to extend to 90 days the cash-for-work (CFW) program for residents affected by the Oriental Mindoro oil spill.
The initiative, which started mid-March, was supposed to run for 15 days only but was recently extended to 45 days.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian told reporters his department is ready for another extension if needed.
“Pagtapos namin, papasok naman ang DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), nag-usap kami ni Secretary (Bienvenido) Laguesma, para ilabas naman nila ‘yung TUPAD nila,” he added, referring to the Labor department’s “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged or Displaced Workers” program.
[Translation: Labor Secretary Laguesma and I discussed that once the CFW program ends, DOLE will implement its TUPAD program.]
“It will really depend on the length pa of the spill,” Gatchalian continued.
As of March 27, the DSWD reported that nearly 20,000 people in Oriental Mindoro and Antique have signed up for the CFW program, which provides temporary employment for those whose livelihoods were affected by the oil spill caused by the sinking of the MT Princess Empress last month.
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Of that number, the department noted that 1,344 have already received payment. They are paid the daily minimum wage in their region.
According to the DSWD, those employed under the CFW program are helping respond to the oil spill, including by conducting clean-up drives, collecting locally available materials for making improvised oil spill boom and absorbent, creating barangay or backyard gardens, and rehabilitating mangroves.
