DSWD turns over P37.45M rehab fund to Guimaras

January 8th, 2008 by Site Administrator

THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 6 (DSWD-6) turned over last January 4, 2008 a total of P37,452,404 funding to the province, municipal governments and SEA-K Associations of Guimaras as part of the ongoing rehabilitation program for oil spill-affected residents.

DSWD-6 OIC-regional director Teresita S. Rosales said some P26.03 million was turned over to the provincial government as partner-implementor of the Cash For Work program. Wages and transportation allowances of 13 community facilitators hired to monitor the social preparation component of the program will also be taken from the said allocation.

 

“The Cash For Work entails community participation so as to give alternative livelihood to fisherfolks who were affected by the oil spill. The labor component will be paid P200 a day for involving themselves in the rehabilitation efforts programmed for one year,” Rosales said.

DSWD also turned over funds to the five municipal governments of Guimaras for capability-building activities and as seed capital for their chosen alternative livelihood.

A total of P690,000 was given to Buenavista; P367,500 for Jordan; Nueva Valencia – P5,364,500; San Lorenzo – P1,316,000; and Sibunag – P1,434,000.
Seed capitals were also directly handed over to the 15 organized Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran Associations (SKAs) in the five municipalities amounting to P2.25 million.

Buenavista fot P600,000 seed capital (with four SKAs); Jordan – P300,000 (with two SKAs); Nueva Valencia – P450,000 (three SKAs); San Lorenzo – P300,000 (with two SKAs); and Sibunag – P600,000 (with four SKAs).

“Before seed capitals were handed to them, these SKAs have undergone social preparation and capability building activities such as business management skills training to ensure that they will be properly guided on how sustain their associations,” Rosales said.

Gov. Felipe Hilan A. Nava challenged the beneficiaries to “use the money wisely” even as he stressed that only “legitimate fisherfolks” should benefit the most from it.

“At first, it was a disaster. But now, we are given an opportunity. Use the money wisely. With this money comes your responsibility to your fellow Guimarasnons,” Nava said.

The formal turn-over program was held at the GTIC Function Room in Jordan, Guimaras, and attended by Regional Director Angel Gaviola of the Office of the Civil Defense 6, Mayor Samuel Gumarin of Buenavista, Mayor Cresente Chavez of Jordan, Mayor Alejandro Araneta of Nueva Valencia and Mayor Jimmy Gajo of San Lorenzo. (DWSD Press Release)