DSWD-6 releases P11-M aid for El Niño affected families

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Office VI (DSWD-6) in Western Visayas has mobilized over P11 million in aid to support families impacted by the El Niño phenomenon.

The funds, managed by the Early Recovery and Rehabilitation Section (ERRS) of the Disaster Response Management Division, are earmarked for Food For Work and Food for Training Programs across various municipalities for the first quarter of 2024.

Atty. Carmelo Nochete, DSWD-6 regional director, reassured affected communities, saying, “Responding to El Niño affected families is a priority of DSWD Field Office VI. We are committed to assisting them in overcoming the challenges posed by this environmental event.”

The Food for Training initiative allocated P3,150,157, translating to 5,460 Family Food Packs, distributed to 5,103 beneficiaries identified in collaboration with Local Social Welfare and Development Offices.

Residents of Sibunag, Guimaras; Carles, Iloilo; Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; and Ibajay, Aklan, were among those who benefited from the training, which provided crucial emergency management skills.

In a similar vein, the Food for Work program saw 11,893 Family Food Packs, worth P7,931,406.23, distributed to those who contributed labor towards community projects like road and canal rehabilitation.

Beneficiaries spanned several towns including Altavas, Buruanga, and Tangalan in Aklan; Hinoba-an, Kabankalan City, San Carlos City, and Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental; Dumalag in Capiz; San Remigio, Culasi, and Valderama in Antique; and San Rafael and Lambunao in Iloilo.

Training Resource persons were ERR Section head PDO III Renante Lasay, Penny Lane Ybanez, Aisha Mei Ravena, Maria Ellyn Palacios and Janice Blances, all PDO I under the leadership of DRMD Chief Erlyn L. Garcia.

According to Garcia, the assistance was given following the LGu request for augmentation.

“Again, no outright cash was given to beneficiaries,” she said.

Garcia said that this might be the last assistance to be given by the agency for El Niño affected families.