The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6) released a total of P 59.2 million livelihood assistance to typhoon-hit families in the region especially to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program almost one year after Typhoon Yolanda struck Western Visayas on November 8 last year.

This livelihood assistance is through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Cash for Work Program, and Cash for Work for Rebuilding of Livelihood Assets (CBLA).

As of November 5, this year, DSWD-6 served 1, 279 families for livelihood assistance, 2, 163 families for cash for work and 10, 193 families for CBLA.

In livelihood assistance, 36 families availed of the motorized banca, 12 tricycle, 16 received pedicab while other families availed various livelihood assistance such as calamansi growing, piña weaving, fish cage culture, royal bibingka making, provision of farming materials, fertilizers, mini grocery, vegetable garden, egg machine and farm equipment, among others.

For cash for work, beneficiaries were paid for cleaning of canals, coastal and damaged structures.

In the implementation of CBLA, there are 84 target municipalities within 50 kilometers radius of Yolanda corridor and out of it 81 municipalities signify there interest to avail the said program by submitting their project proposals. Also, 72 municipalities are already implementing the program in their respective municipalities.

Payments are on-going to those municipalities who have already completed their work either through fund transfer or cash pay-out.

DSWD-6 Assistant Director Joel Galicia said the local government units that already availed the program and the people in the community are very thankful that they were able to restore their facilities, farm to market roads and other livelihood assets that were destroyed by typhoon.

“Beneficiaries are hopeful that with all those assistance given to them they will able to surpass all challenges may come to their way”, he said.

Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary Gina Bulanon of Sitio Camote, Brgy. Lawis, Balasan, Iloilo, said the livelihood assistance and cash grant given to them has inspired them to rebuild their house and assured the education and health of their children.

“Every single centavo we received is a big help for our family. Being a Pantawid Pamilya and SLP beneficiary is a great privilege for us as poor household,” she said.

As a result, Bulanon said they have now an income of 300 to 600 a day from their oyster culture. She said from that income, they started buying G.I sheet for their roof and plywood for their wall.

Bulanon also said that they were able to buy second-hand television from a friend and cellular phone to use in case of emergency since their village is located 5- kilometer away from the town proper.

“I could say that we are now slowly recovering from the tragedy. There is nothing impossible for every trial as long as we are helping one another and with faith in God”, she said.

In Region 6, the DSWD-6 has recorded 614, 559 families affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Of the said number, 137, 639 families are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries whose houses were totally and partially damaged. (DSWD-6/Montesa Grino-Caoyonan)