DSWD to Strengthen Livelihood Program in Cebu

The National Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) strengthens the livelihood programs in Cebu by expanding their activities.

DSWD Undersecretary Aimee Torrefranca-Neri said that the sustainable livelihood program still continues to provide all kinds of assistance to the Filipinos.

Neri said that one of the major part of the program is the “assistance to individuals in crisis situation” where the DSWD can help people in need of medical and educational assistance, hospitalization and to help the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

Meanwhile, Neri said that there are some Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Cebu Province that have been identified and qualified for a program called “Kapit Bisig para sa Kahirapan” but she didn’t mention the names of the LGUs yet.

“Itong Kapit Bisig para sa Kahirapan is a community empowerment program (This kapit bisig para sa kahirapan is a community empowerment program)”, Neri said.

The Kapit Bisig para sa Kahirapan is a program wherein the community will submit a proposal to the DSWD regarding infrastructures needed in a certain place.

“Kung kailangan nila ng tulay magsusubmit po yung community ng proposal sa DSWD, ang gagawa po ng tulay ay mismo po ang community, kung saan babayaran ng DSWD yung per day nila, ito yung tinatawag na community empowerment (For instance, a community needs a bridge, they have to submit and proposal to the DSWD. The community itself will work on the project but the DSWD will pay for their labor fee. This is what we call community empowerment),” Neri said.

Neri also explained that this program is intended directly to the community and not to the LGUs.

“Hindi po ito para sa LGUs kundi direkta po sa mga komunidad, sa mga beneficiaries mismo (This is not for the LGUs but for the community and for the beneficiaries),” Neri said.

Neri along with the DSWD coordinated with Senator-elect Bong Go during his visit in Barangay Mambaling to distribute relief assistance to the fire victims.

Neri has disclosed that they already distributed P845,208 worth of relief assistance like food packs, hygiene kits, dining kits, cooking sets, sleeping kits and more. (MLC)