On Tuesday, CSWD doled out cash assistance to about 161 beneficiaries from different villages of San Fernando.

For the localized Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG), five groups, each with five members, were awarded P25000 worth of financial aid for their immediate rehabilitation and recovery from the economic effects of Covid-19.

“Ang beneficiaries natin dito ay yung mga vulnerable groups like the PWDs [Persons with Disability], urban poor, local 4P’s members, at yung iba pang kasama sa vulnerable sectors natin. Tinulungan namin silang bumuo ng isang proyekto o pangkabuhayan na mapapakinabangan nila,” explained Bernadette Maniago, CSWD Officer II.

Meanwhile, 136 individuals also received the “fruits of their labor” thru the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) Cash For Work program.

CFW is a short-term intervention to provide temporary employment to displaced individuals by participating in preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in their communities.

In San Fernando, CSWD involved the youth and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Centers parents for this program.

The beneficiaries participated in backyard gardening for a maximum of 10 days. In exchange for the work rendered, program beneficiaries are provided with cash to meet their requirement for food and other necessities.

“Yung sa CFW natin ito yung mga indibidwal na nagtanim ng mga gulay. Babayaran namin sila base sa bilang ng araw na kanilang pinag-trabahuan, 340 pesos a day. Plus, yung magiging production ng kanilang naitanim ay for own consumption nila and pag nagka surplus sila pwede pa nila itong ibenta sa kanilang community,” Maniago said.

CSWDO encourages all Fernandinos who are interested in the different livelihood grants of the LGU to coordinate with their sectoral leaders or go to the CSWD Office at City Hall.

For his part, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago advised the beneficiaries to use the livelihood grants to their advantage.

 “Sana po ay pahalagahan ninyo ang tulong at suportang ipinapaabot ng lokal na pamahalaan sa inyo. Gamitin niyo po ito para mapalago ang inyong mga pangkabuhayan at masuportahan ang inyong mga pamilya habang nararanasan pa rin natin itong pandemya,” Santiago remarked.

Santiago added that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the LGU will remain consistent with its livelihood efforts and social services to ensure the general welfare of Fernandinos.