In an effort to further assist local government units (LGUs) in responding to the needs of families affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started distributing checks to concerned LGUs for the conduct of Cash-for-Work (CFW) for evacuees.

The implementation of CFW is provided for in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by the DSWD and concerned LGUs earlier this month. Under the agreement, DSWD has allotted P72 million pesos for this activity. A CFW beneficiary will receive P290 per day for 10 days of work. The work that they will perform will be based on the need of the evacuation center where they are staying.

The municipality of Daraga was the first to receive funding amounting to P7,708,200 for their 2,658 beneficiaries. Today, DSWD also turned over a check to Guinobatan town.

Other LGUs can already claim their checks from the DSWD-Field Office in Legazpi City.

DSWD Officer-In-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco stated that the Department expects the CFW to be implemented this month so the evacuees will have a source of income while they are at the evacuation centers.

Storytelling for kids, dance time for adults

Moreover, DSWD Field Office staff deployed in the different evacuation centers in Guinobatan conducted “Malikhaing Pagkukuwento” for children as part of psychosocial activities to help them cope with their present situation.

Likewise, Valentines Day did not go unnoticed for the married adults seeking temporary shelter at the Bubulusan evacuation center in Guinobatan as a Family Development Session (FDS) was organized for them where the topic on strengthening couple relationship was discussed. After the FDS, it was dance time for the participating couples to help them relax.

Latest figures

Meanwhile, to date, 15,140 families or 56,590 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in 57 evacuation centers while 2,660 families or 11,225 persons are staying with relatives/friends in Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo are also being assisted.

The amount of ₱287,296,396.97 worth of assistance has been provided to affected families; of which, ₱45,430,214.72 came from DSWD, ₱49,561,002.36 came from LGUs, ₱31,238,546.44 came from NGOs, and ₱161,066,633.45 came from other humanitarian assistance providers including NGAs. ###