ANTIQUE – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far extended over P33-million worth of assistance to oil spill-affected families in Caluya, Antique.
DSWD Region 6’s Disaster Response Management Division chief Judith Tañate Barredo said the department had provided P33,350,144 worth of assistance as of March 21 right after the oil spill from the M/T Princess Empress reached the island barangays of Caluya town.
“There were 7,195 families with 27,145 persons affected by the oil spill and provided with assistance,” said Barredo.
The assistance provided was in the form of emergency cash transfers (ECT) amounting to P25,979,694, cash-for-work (CFW) — P1,093,500, and aid to individuals in crisis situation (AICS) — P1,707,000.
Aside from the financial assistance, 8,300 family food packs worth P4,380,8000 were also distributed in the barangays of Alegria, Semirara, Sibolo, and Tinogboc.
There were non-food items, too, including 50 pairs of boots, 20 units of modular tents, and 25 rolls of sakoline, amounting to P189,150 released to the local government of Caluya for those joining the coastal cleanup.
“We are just waiting for the availability of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel that would transport an additional 8,300 family food packs to Caluya,” added Barredo.
Each family food pack, now available at the DSWD Regional Warehouse in Oton, Iloilo, contains rice, cereals, canned sardines and corned beef.
Barredo said there are now Sustainable Livelihood Program personnel in Caluya doing an assessment for the livelihood projects to be undertaken to assist the oil spill-affected families further. (PNA)/PN
