EMERGENCY AID. Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Jade Jamolod personally releases on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 27, 2020) the PHP3,000 emergency cash assistance to one of the 100 market vendors from Barangay Fatima in General Santos City who were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The beneficiaries also received a box of family food pack as well as grocery items, face masks, face shields, and 10 bicycles from Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-12)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Some 100 market vendors here who were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic have received emergency cash grants and relief goods from the national government on Tuesday afternoon.
Cezario Joel Espejo, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Region 12, said Wednesday the assistance was released by the Office of the President through the agency’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS).
AICS is a program that serves as a social safety net to support the recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crisis.
He said each beneficiary mainly received a cash grant of PHP3,000 and a box of family food pack from the agency.
Espejo said these were released to the beneficiaries in a simple ceremony held at the Fatima National High School gymnasium in Barangay Fatima.
Also present were DSWD Assistant Secretary Jade Jamolod and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong”Go, who also provided separate grocery items, face masks, face shields, and 10 bicycles.
The official said the beneficiaries, who were all from Barangay Fatima, comprise individuals whose livelihood was affected by the crisis but were not included in the Social Amelioration Program.
He said their personnel earlier visited and conducted needs assessment for the target recipients in coordination with the city government.
“We made sure that only qualified individuals will receive the government support,” he told reporters.
Espejo said the agency will continually monitor the situation of residents affected by the ongoing pandemic and assured that they are ready to provide interventions through its various assistance programs.
“Everybody suffered from the pandemic. Local businesses suffered terrible damage while families' funds dried up because of work loss. But with the support of the government and our partners, we can surely survive the crisis,” he said. (PNA)
