9 LGUs in Yolanda-hit towns get P73M cash-for-work benefit

MANILA, Philippines - Nine local government units in Eastern Visayas devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda November last year have received over P73 million funds under the cash-for-work program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday.

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said that as of March 19, around P73.1 million was released to the LGUS for the second wave of implementation of the program.

From November 9, 2013 to February 10, 2014, some 16,234 individuals availed of the first wave of CFW, Soliman said.

The beneficiaries worked mostly in the different relief hubs, seaports, and at the airport assisting in the hauling of goods.

Soliman said more than 37,000 individuals from Barugo, Burauen, Dulag, San Isidro, Sta. Fe, Tabontabon andTanauan in Leyte; Guiuan in Eastern Samar; and Basey and Hinabangan in Western Samar, are expected to participate in the second wave of CFW that will begin this month.

The LGUs will identify priority activities such as clearing and cleaning roads of debris, rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, cleaning of coastal areas, digging and dredging of canals, rehabilitation of basic agricultural infrastructure, and communal gardening. They will work for 15 days and will receive P260 per day.

To date, the DSWD is also processing the release of the remainder of the total CFW budget allocation.