Qualified market entrepreneurs victimized by the March 11 fire received more financial assistance from government agencies and offices last week.
A total of 355 eligible affected merchants received P10,000 livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development headed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian through the initiative of Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
The mayor through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Office requested for the livelihood settlement grant through the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD to help the victims recover from their economic losses.
The request was facilitated by the DSWD Cordillera.
“The grant will be an important and useful component for the immediate recovery of the victims from the fire incidents through the reestablishment of their existing micro-enterprises,” the mayor said.
OCSWD head Liza Bulayungan said the grantees, who were classified as “near-poor”, were pre-qualified based on the criteria set under the DSWD program.
Last March 25, a total of 996 fire victims were awarded educational assistance with amounts ranging from P5,000 to P10,000 from Senators Bong Go and Robinhood Padilla who each contributed P5 million for the assistance released through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program also of the DSWD.
Bulayungan said a total of 236 more stand to receive the same grant pending completion of the requirements.
There were around 1,300 vendors affected by the fire but not all qualify to the assistance and grants based on the criteria and guidelines set forth.
The mayor thanked the DSWD secretary, senators Go and Padilla, and DSWD Regional Director Leo Quintilla for the financial assistance.
“In behalf of the city’s officialdom and constituents, we extend our heartfelt thanks to senators Go and Padilla, as well as Secretary Gatchalian and RD Quintilla for working out financial and livelihood aids and immediately making sure that assistance will reach the beneficiaries at the time that it is most needed. Your kind gesture and empathy is depply appreciated,” the mayor said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
