DSWD extends cash aid program to Oriental Mindoro to one month, says governor

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 18) — The governor of Oriental Mindoro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended the implementation of its cash assistance program to affected municipalities in Oriental Mindoro to one month.

“Ang ating cash-for-work program ay tatagal nang 45 days (first wave) – hindi na siya 15 days lang,” Oriental Mindoro Gov. Bonz Dolor said in an inter-agency meeting on Friday.

[Translation: Our cash-for-work program will last 45 days (first wave) – not just 15 days.]

Under the program, residents are tasked to collect materials that will be used in making improvised spill booms and oil absorbents.

Dolor said the cash assistance program will help 14,504 residents who were affected by the slick. Eligible participants would be paid the regional minimum wage every five days, the governor added.

LINK: Over 137,000 people affected by Mindoro oil spill – DSWD

DSWD’s cash-for-work program is a short term intervention aimed to provide temporary employment to distressed or displaced individuals before, during, or after a disaster.

Beneficiaries may render hours on environmental protection and preservation (tree planting and coastal cleanup) or food security intervention (communal gardening, agricultural production).