Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 19) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it has started distributing cash assistance to the thousands of families evacuated due to Mayon Volcano’s unrest.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian explained that the first tranche of the financial aid was funded through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. Each household receives ₱5,000 which should be enough until the end of June, he noted.
“The cash will be given to them for them to be able to buy their own needs,” he noted.
For July and August, Gatchalian said each household will be given ₱ 12,000 under a separate program, with a total allocation of ₱400 million. This cash assistance is on top of the food packs also being distributed to the evacuees, he said.
He added the government has enough funds to cover all evacuees, even if their number increases.
Aside from these, the secretary said the government is also working on a cash for work program for the locals. Participants will be paid the minimum daily wage in Albay of around ₱400 in exchange for doing work, like backyard gardening in evacuation centers, or road cleaning, he explained.
Gatchalian said he is working closely with Labor Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma regarding this as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has the emergency employment program called Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers or TUPAD.
The Social Welfare chief said the program is being implemented alternately, beginning with the DOLE. After a month, the DSWD will take over, Gatchalian said.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian said food packs are also continuously being distributed to affected families. This is being implemented in cooperation with local government units.
He explained that the DSWD already distributed food packs enough for 15 days, which will be followed by supplies from LGUs that will last for another 6 days. This relay program will continue for 45 to 90 days, Gatchalian noted.
