NO less than DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Leyco led the operations in Boracay, Malay, Aklan in response to the Island’s closure.
“Walang magugutom, kaya mayroon tayong food packs. Wala pong ma-eevict nang walang relocation (Nobody will be hungry, that is why we have food packs. Nobody will be evicted without relocation,” said Leyco during his meeting with workers from the informal sector engaged as tricycle drivers, tourist guide, construction and other cooperatives.
Leyco arrived on April 25, 2018 and personally monitored the releasing of assistance to displaced workers at the DSWD Operation Center and conducted a meeting with the informal sector. After which, he had a dialogue with Friends of Boracay and We are Boracay, both are people’s organization.
As of 2p.m. today (April 26, 2018), the agency has released P2.4 million in transportation assistance to a total of 1,021 clients.
He also met with the Quick Response Team of DSWD at night time.
Addressing his statement to the workers, he said, “Thank you for all the sacrifices. Pagod kayo pero hindi pa po tapos ang trabaho. Maski saan, maski kailan, laging bukas tayo na taga DSWD na pakinggan ang mga tao (You are tired but we have so much work to be done. We have to be always open to listen to the people anywhere and anytime.”
For her part, Regional Director Rebecca P. Geamala of Field Office VI revealed that she has sent augmentation of staff to the Operation Center in the island.
“We want to serve the people as fast as we could. We know they need that assistance and we are doing our best to release it quickly,” said Geamala.
Sustainable livelihood
Leyco also said that the agency is implementing Sustainable Livelihood Program in the island.
“We are going to field Sustainable Livelihood experts here. We will do it quickly. We will have exhaust everything that we can come up with to help the affected families,” he said./dswd6