LEGAZPI: At least 147 families affected by a clash between government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) in March this year benefited from the sustainable livelihood program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region.
“The 147 families identified, validated, and endorsed by the local government of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, were given livelihood assistance. Each family received PHP20,000.00 for the adjustment of their respective livelihoods that were affected by the encounter in their area,” Ram Joseph Zaragoza, DSWD Bicol SLP social marketing officer, said in an interview on Tuesday.
Zaragoza said the assistance distributed will serve as capital to start a business or livelihood that will help the families with their daily needs.
“The grant was distributed to 143 families, or PHP2.8 million, on June 24, 2024, while the remaining grants for the four families will be distributed this week,” he said.
Zaragoza said the beneficiaries were identified and validated by th
e local government unit (LGU) of Del Gallego.
“The families were endorsed to DSWD Bicol for the provision of assistance. The families also received family food packs and essential non-food relief items such as sleeping kits and family kits, amounting to PHP357,000 as initial assistance after the encounter,” he said.
The clashes between government troops and the NPA which occurred on March 4 in Barangay Santa Rita and Bagong Silang affected a total of 147 families or about 725 individuals. Of the number, 24 families were displaced.
No collateral damage or civilian casualties were reported in the incident.
Source: Philippines News Agency