Yolanda survivors in Passi City get cash-for-work pay

PASSI CITY, Philippines -- Edgar Janeo beamed as he signed the cash assistance payroll for him to finally receive the fruit of his 10-day labor through the DSWD's Cash-for-Work Program. He may have lost his entire dwelling and all his family's belongings to the devastation of Yolanda and yet, he admitted he was happy for it was the first cash assistance extended to his family ever since.

Janeo, 47, a father to five children, said he witnessed how the chocolate-colored rushing waters swallowed their small hut along the riverbank of Barangay Sarapan, this city, in the afternoon of Nov. 8, 2013.

"But I am still thankful because even if we have not salvaged any of our belongings, my family is safe," he said. "We have received several relief goods from DSWD and other groups but this is the first cash assistance given to us."

Janeo earnings from working as laborer in the farm of others could hardly sustain the daily needs of his family. More than two months after Yolanda ravaged the northern portion of Iloilo province, he has erected a small shanty made from materials he had gathered around their place.

The P2,080 he earned through the DSWD's cash-for-work program was already a very big help especially in buying their home needs and their food. "I am very thankful for the assistance because we can now buy rice, things we need at home and the needs of the children," he said.

An initial 50 families, whose houses were damaged by Yolanda, received P2,080 each last January 15, through the DSWD's cash-for-work program.

Out of 50 hardest hit municipalities in Region 6, Passi City was the first local government unit to avail itself of cash assistance. The DSWD beneficiaries worked for 10 days, repairing the damaged school building, city's gymnasium and day care centers in their community.

The DSWD-6 office has a budget of P5.2 million for the implementation of the program in Western Visayas for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Passi City Social Welfare and Development Officer Adelfa Canones said they did their best to hasten processing of documents of the typhoon-affected families because they understood people needed help.

Cash-for-work is a short-term intervention to provide temporary employment to distressed/displaced individuals by participating in or undertaking preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in their communities or in evacuation centers. Work areas/programs are identified by the community under the leadership of local leaders.

In exchange of the work rendered, program recipients are provided with cash to cover for their need for food and other basic necessities.  (FREEMAN)