DSWD: Cash-for-work program to benefit 14,000 people affected by oil spill

Around 14,000 individuals affected by the oil spill off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, will benefit from the government's cash-for-work program, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Friday.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the government will prioritize fisherfolk affected by the current fishing ban, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, and other indigent individuals.
 
“Mag-start ito ng March 15. Ngayon nasa validation and verification tayo ng mga isinumite na pangalan na maaaring mapasama sa ating programa,” said Lopez at a televised public briefing.

(It will start on March 15. We’re now validating and verifying the names submitted for the program.)
 
“Maaari po natin itong i-extend kung talagang kakailanganin dahil ang mahalaga dito hangga’t di nagno-normalize ang situation ng ating mga kababayan ay naalalayan natin sila,” he added. 
 
(We can also extend the program if needed. It is important for us to aid the residents until the situation in their area normalizes.)
 
Participants will receive P355 per day, the minimum wage in Mimaropa, according to the DSWD official. 

“Bukod sa cash-for-work program, mayroon din po tayong emergency cash transfer sa higit 1,000 na indibidwal para sa Agutaya, Palawan, na apektado rin ng nangyaring oil spill sa parte ng Naujan sa Oriental Mindoro,” he said.

(Apart from the cash-for-work program, we also conducted an emergency cash transfer to over 1,000 individuals in Agutaya, Palawan, who were affected by the oil spill off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.)

Several provinces, including Oriental Mindoro, Antique, and Palawan, were affected by the massive oil leak from the submerged MT Princess Empress. The motor tanker sank on February 28 while carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel. All 20 people onboard were rescued.

Lopez said the DSWD had already distributed P6.3 million worth of humanitarian aid to the affected provinces, apart from the food packs they have been distributing every four days.
 
He also said the agency allocated P2.1 billion worth of stockpiles and standby funds, of which P778.5 million is available in their main office.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News