(Right) The stranded individuals pose as they receive cash assistance from FO CALABARZON
Sixteen workers who got stranded in Banga, Aklan are now with their families after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office (FO) in Western Visayas, assisted them to go back to their homes in Cavite and Bulacan.
The 16 stranded workers traveled to Aklan on June 22 to work in a cable installation service company as installers of fiber optics and site-packages in Kalibo and New Washington, Aklan. However, after working for a month, they received a notice of termination due to the failure of documentary requirements of the project.
They sought assistance from a radio station in the province and were then referred to the DSWD. The FO VI, led by Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, immediately assessed their situation and processed their transfer and transport.
Before their departure, DSWD FO VI provided family food packs (FFPs), hygiene kits, and cash assistance amounting to P10,000 to each of them for their transportation fare and to settle the P37,058 debt of the group in some sari-sari stores in the province. The Field Office also facilitated their transfer to Field Office III and CALABARZON.
Ten of them were assisted by FO III and were transported to Bulacan, while the remaining six traveled back to Cavite with the help of FO CALABARZON. Each of them also received additional food assistance amounting to P5,000 from the said Field Offices.
“Kami po ng aking mga kasamahan ay sobrang nagpapasalamat sa inyong mga tulong at sa buong staff po ng DSWD ng Kalibo, lalo na po Region 6. Hiding-hindi po namin kayo makakalimutan” (We are very grateful for the help that you’ve given us and we are thankful to the staff of the DSWD in Kalibo and to the Region 6. We will never forget you), said Mr. Ricky Labajo, the team leader of the stranded workers.
The stranded workers departed from Aklan on July 28 via RORO ship and safely arrived in Batangas Port on July 29. ###
