CASH PAYOUT. Ilocos Norte farmers, who participated in a 10-day cash-for-work program, receive their payout worth PHP4,350 each. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has allocated over PHP50 million for its cash-for-work program for farmers in Ilocos Norte this year. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Farmers from this city are grateful for the government’s cash-for-work program, which aims to assist farmers affected by calamities and the ongoing dry spell.
On Thursday, some 1,152 farmers received their wages, at PHP4,350 each for a 10-day community service, from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at a ceremony held at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
Wilson Calaoagan, a corn farmer from Camanggaan village, told the Philippine News Agency that he is thankful for the cash aid, which he will use to buy his family's needs.
“We cleaned up waterways and helped rehabilitate damaged roads for 10 days last January,” Calaoagan said, as he expressed hopes that this program will continue to be offered to marginalized workers to increase their income.
Another farmer, Roy Duldulao from Barangay Navotas-B, said the distribution of the cash payout during the day is timely because he needs it for his daughter’s school allowance.
“I have been hearing about the cash-for-work for a long time now. Thank you for the chance, I was able to benefit from it,” he said in Ilokano, the local dialect.
The program, which aims to assist poor farmers in times of crisis, has been earmarked over PHP50 million this year. It is being funded by the DSWD in collaboration with the Ilocos Norte provincial government.
A total of 11,673 beneficiaries under the cash-for-work program will receive their cash assistance this month. (PNA)
