DSWD 6 RELEASES P19.8M FOR FIRST BATCH OF SLP BENEFICIARIES IN BORACAY

The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 has released a total of P19.8 million as livelihood assistance to Boracay residents and workers affected by the closure on Thursday, May 31.

The 1,323 recipients were among the first batch of recipients for DSWD’s sustainable livelihood program (SLP) in Boracay.

Each recipient received P15,000 each.

Among the recipients were the 429 residents of Barangay Balabag, 169 from Manocmanoc and 115 from Yapak.

Also given livelihood grants were 283 members of Malay Sailing Boat Owner Association Inc. (MASBOI), 194 members of Malay Boracay Vendors Association (MABOVEN), 63 tour guides from Boracay Mabuhay Host Association, 28 massage therapist who are members of iPHiLMA Skilled Association (ISA), 32 from Boracay Ladies Caddies Association, and 10 members of Malay Tour Operators Association (MALTOA) Tour Guides.

Secretary Virginia Orogo said a total P250 million was allocated by DSWD for the implementation of SLP in Boracay.

She said the second round of releasing for another 1,000 recipients is already underway and expected to be released by early June.

Among the livelihood proposed by residents includes accessory making, sari-sari store, bakery, souvenir making, among others.

The DSWD is likewise targeting to release SLP grant to at least 11,000 households in Boracay.

For its Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, the DSWD has also released a total of P25.07 million with 10,397 clients served as of May 30.

Under AICS, a total of 9,405 were provided with transportation assistance with a total of P22.7 million amount disbursed.

For educational assistance, the DSWD has provided assistance to 832 clients with a total amount disbursed of P1.7 million. The DSWD has also provided P593,500 medical assistance to 155 clients and P25,000 to five clients for burial assistance.

The DSWD has also already enlisted 1,381 participants for its cash for work program.

The agency is expected to start its implementation of cash for work by early June./dswd6