P4.9M for sugar workers in Negros Occidental
A total of P4.9 million will be released for sugar workers affected by Tiempos Muertos in Negros Occidental by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office VI.
“This is the response of the Department to the call of the Province of Negros Occidental for DSWD’s intervention. Our DSWD Central Office, with the leadership of Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral, has released the amount,” said Director Teresita S. Rosales, Regional Director of DSWD Field Office VI.
The DSWD Central Office has released the said fund together with P150,000.00 administrative expenses for the implementation of cash for work program. This program is implemented through provision of cash in exchange of community service. This aims to extend emergency short term employment to affected sugar workers; facilitate Tiempos Muertos victims to undergo community development activities; and enable sugar workers to engage in productive activities during off-season.
It is targeted that 5,347 beneficiaries will be able to benefit from this project.
“Since this is only an augmentation from DSWD, one municipality or city per district was prioritized for program implementation,” added Rosales.
If broken down, Calatrava in the First District will have 502 beneficiaries with funding of P469,370.00; Manapla in the Second District, 740 beneficiaries with funding of P691,900.00; EB Magalona in the Third District, 646 beneficiaries with funding of P604,010.00; La Carlota City in Fourth District, 709 beneficiaries with funding of P878,900.00; and Kabankalan City in Sixth District, 1810 beneficiaries with P1,692,350.00 funding.
Earlier, it was learned that the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has budgeted P15 million for the implementation of Food for Work Program. This is provision of food in exchange of community work rendered by beneficiaries.