IDPs receive cash aid from city government

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 February 2015) – Three hundred seventy internally displaced persons (IDPs) here in Gensan received aid from the local government through the cash-for-work assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on February 10 at the Oval Gymnasium.

The IDPs—individuals who had lost their homes and properties through calamities such as fire and flood—received P2,925 each for working 15 days last December 2014 under the supervision of community social workers.

Each day, they received P195 for doing repairs and refurbishments in their damaged properties, and/or by community cleaning.

They also attended a two-day training on family disaster preparedness with the help of City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to learn the basics of disaster response.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera purposely visited the distribution of cash assistance, as he “is eager to be of service to the vulnerable (sector) of the city.”

“I really know that there a lot of indigents and IDPs here in the city that we should help through various social services programs. The assistance they received is a proof that we are trying to hasten and extend the reach of our service,” the mayor said.

Mayor Rivera also told the IDPs "I wanted to apologize to all of you that it is only now that you received your cash assistance. Some of you should have received this last 2011.”

“But of course, we should not blame. What is important in this point is that you have your cash assistance,” he added.

Field Operations Head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Arabecque Batilong said the budget used for the cash-for-work assistance came from the national office of DSWD through their IDP program, amounting to around P1.1 million.

One of the recipients was Reynaldo Ancajas of Barangay Calumpang. His house was razed by fire last 2011.

“I thank the local government of General Santos and especially to the mayor for pushing this program until we have our cash assistance. This would really help sustain my family’s need,” Ancajas said.

Other IDP beneficiaries from the barangays of North (35), South (56), Calumpang (61), Bula (38), Heights (71), Lagao (9), Tambler (1), West (4), Apopong (1), Fatima (14), and Labangal (80) also shared the same sentiment as Ancajas.  (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)