2,311 Guimarasnons avail of Cash for Work
A total of 2,311 Guimarasnons have so far availed of the Cash for Work Program jointly implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI and the Provincial Government of Guimaras.
If distributed, 659 beneficiaries come from Sibunag; 573 from Buenavista; 534 from Jordan; 449 beneficiaries come from Nueva Valencia; and 96 from San Lorenzo, all municipalities in Guimaras.
"We have noted that the impact of the Project to the people and the community is having improved income to meet the daily needs of the family. Also, they have realized the importance of people's participation in the program of the government," said Julian Ledesma, Focal Person on Disaster Preparedness of DSWD Field Office VI.
The beneficiaries worked on a total of 16 infrastructure projects namely five road networks and 1 fish landing facility in Nueva Valencia; four road networks in Jordan; three road networks in Buenavista; two road networks in Sibunag and 1 road network in San Lorenzo.
Their work range from clearing and ditching, maintenance and vegetation control, cement stabilizing and surface treatment of roads and concreting of one fish landing facility.
As of May 31, 2008, a total of P16,005,920 million was released for the labor of the beneficiaries. A sum of P6,994,080 has yet to be disbursed to beneficiaries who are scheduled to participate in the Project until July.
The Cash for Work program is the provision of cash to disaster victims/displaced or distressed persons in exchange of their services or involvement in undertaking restoration and rehabilitation activities. This also aims to revive the bayanihan spirit in the community.
Aside from Cash for Work Project, Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran is also implemented in the Province. This provide seed capital to the beneficiaries who are capable of managing their own micro-enterprise./dswd6/mragocastillo.