Helping affected families cope with the effects of  Super Typhoon Egay, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) implemented its post disaster response, early recovery and rehabilitation through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay Cash-For-Work Program (KALAHI-CIDSS KKB-CFWP) for low-income families in the three provinces in the region.

On 27 to 30 December 2023, the KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office, National Program Management Office, together with the Provincial and Local Government Units, and Area Coordinating Teams conducted the payout for 10, 856 beneficiaries from Abra, Apayao and Mountain Province who each received Php 4,000.00 cash assistance in exchange of the community work they rendered for 10 days.

The Php 43.4 million cash assistance in the region provided short-term intervention through temporary employment for the families affected by the typhoon. Beneficiaries in the region participated in cleaning/ clearing and grubbing of pathways, reforestation, seedling production, and gardening.

Berlina Rosales, 31, from Barlig, Mt. Province who participated in the gardening and cleaning activity in their community is thankful to be included in the short-term employment of the agency in order to recover from the damages incurred brought about by the typhoon. “Dakkel nga tulong daytoy iti pamilya mi, para iti inaldaw nga usar iti pamilya. Salamat iti DSWD,” she added.

“To those who sacrifice their time to finish our remaining tasks. You are the real heroes of the modern age. My highest regards to you all,” said Director III, Concurrent OIC-Regional Director and ARD for Operations Dir. Enrique H. Gascon Jr.

acknowledging the DSWD Field Office CAR Staff, Local Government Units and Partners who sacrificed their time and assisted the agency for the successful conduct of the payout.

“Considering the destructive effects of the typhoon on July of 2023 and the challenges each province experienced from destruction of houses, soil erosion and flooding, the cash assistance not only seeks to provide the wages of the beneficiaries but at the same time contributed to the protection and preservation of the environment,” Director Gascon added.

The KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program of the government implemented by DSWD and empowers communities to achieve improved access to social services, and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation. The program uses the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach, through KALAHI-CIDSS and CDD, community members are empowered to identify ad address their communities most pressing needs. # DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, LAUREN A. ALIMONDO