The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD FO 6), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) released a total of P66.6 million livelihood assistance for the residents of Boracay Island.

The first batch of releasing catered 1,323 SLP beneficiaries last May 31, 2018; 1,635 beneficiaries for the second batch (June 22); 891 beneficiaries for the third batch (June 30); and the recent 593 beneficiaries for the fourth batch of releasing held last July 8, 2018. This totals to 4,442 families – each availed a P15,000 worth of livelihood assistance.

DSWD’s Livelihood Assistance for Boracay is a capability-building program for families and individuals in crisis situation. It may be in form of Microenterprise Assistance Grant (MAG) or Employment Support Grant (ESG).

“We want to emphasize for those who still do not know about the program that what we give them is free. Each family can avail a maximum of P15,000. The assistance granted to the residents of Boracay is expected to be used as start up for additional capital for the chosen enterprise of each beneficiary,” says Rebecca P. Geamala, Regional Director of DSWD FO VI.

To avail the livelihood assistance grant, beneficiaries must be registered in DAFAC (Disaster Assistance Family Access Card) or may just inquire personally to DSWD Operation Center in Boracay Island (Faith Village, Station 3, Manocmanoc, Malay, Aklan.)

Moreover, Geamala also relates that the recipients of livelihood assistance from the first and second batches are currently under monitoring to ensure that the assistance is used according to what was proposed./tfl/xms/dswd6/