ILOILO City – Since the temporary closure of Boracay Island on April 26, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 has released P19.8-million livelihood assistance to residents and displaced informal workers there.
The assistance was under DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
According to DSWD secretary Virginia Orogo who visited Boracay on May 31, a total of 1,323 recipients benefitted from the SLP; each received P15,000.
“This is only the first batch. The department proposed a P250-million budget to help displaced workers and residents of Boracay,” said Orogo.
DSWD-6 is also preparing for the second round of releasing — another 1,000 recipients — by early June.
The informal sector recipients were from the IPHILMA Skilled Association (massage therapists); Boracay MABUHAY HOST Association (tour guides); Boracay Ladies Caddies Association; MALTOA tour guide; Malay Boracay Vendors Association; and MASBOI Sailboat Multipurpose Cooperative.
Also on May 30, DSWD had a payout for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Boracay. A total of 672 beneficiaries received cash grants totaling P2.4 million.
Since April 23, DSWD have been implementing the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to help displaced workers and residents in the resort island that is undergoing rehabilitation.
As of May 30, 2018, the department has provided transportation assistance to 9,405 displaced workers amounting to P22.7 million; educational assistance to 832 clients amounting to P1.7 million; medical assistance to 155 clients amounting to P593,500; and burial assistance to five clients amounting to P25,000. These totaled to P25 million.
Meanwhile, 1,381 displaced residents and workers have so far been enlisted for the emergency Cash for Work Program./PN
