Cash for work in Nueva Ecija

MANILA, Philippines – The survey team of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation launched last week a cash-for-work (CFW) program in Gapan City, an area in Nueva Ecija heavily affected by the brunt of typhoon Lando (international name: Koppu).

Ankle-deep mud covered the streets of Brgy. San Vicente in this city when Tzu Chi volunteers went for a disaster survey on Oct. 26. They also visited Brgys. Calabasa and Bagting in Gabaldon. Nueva Ecija was placed under a state of calamity due to the widespread flooding that rendered vast farmlands flat.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recorded typhoon Lando as the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2015 as it brought widespread flooding and strong winds across the key agricultural regions of Luzon.

Tzu Chi’s CFW program will be a short-term relief that aims to revive the local economy by giving equal chances to residents to clean up the mud-covered roads and prevent the spread of disease.

“You will clean your homes, your community and at the same time, Tzu Chi will help you with P400 daily allowance,” Tzu Chi Philippines’ CEO Alfredo Li told residents. Sitio Libis sits near a river, which submerged the community when it overflowed at the peak of Lando’s blow.

“If we are going to give you rice and relief goods at this time, we will leave you in the same condition – the community will still be covered in mud,” adds CEO Li, encouraging villagers to bring out the spirit of unity in their community.

The cash-for-work program will continue until traces of typhoon Lando are cleared from the streets of Brgy. San Vicente.

Meanwhile, Tzu Chi volunteers already coordinated with the local government unit in Gapan City and nearby towns for future relief operations for the typhoon victims.