DSWD disburses food aid worth P48 M for lean season

source: mb.com.ph

GUIHULNGAN CITY, Negros Oriental — To aid small-scale farmers and fisher folks during this season made lean by abnormal weather conditions, the Region 7 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disbursed some P48.1 million worth of rice and food subsidy here.

DSWD7 information officer, Jaybee Binghay said of total budget allocation disbursed by the agency, Guihulngan City received the biggest chunk, P15.5 million, benefiting nearly 5,300 individuals.

The short-term food aid has benefited some18,098 people in the Central Visayas region. The project is an intervention to provide temporary employment to small-scale farmers and fisher folks and their families distressed, displaced or needing assistance in undertaking preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in their communities.

Binghay explained that with said program, small scale farmers and fisher folks’ incomes will be augmented and, at the same time, will encourage community participation in implementing a community-defined project preparing them for response and post-disaster activities including hunger mitigation and food security initiatives.

“With this assistance, the beneficiaries are able to enhance food production through farm preparation, construction or repair of shallow wells and irrigation canals, as well as additional income for road rehabilitation, construction and/or repais of classrooms and day care centers,” she said.

source: mb.com.ph