DSWD. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said it distributed P2,000 cash assistance to each mall employee and fisherfolk affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake last week. The amount was lower than what was earlier announced by the agency that individuals affected by the earthquake can receive P5,000 to P10,000 cash assistance through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the emergency cash transfer programs. Romel Lopez, spokesperson for the DSWD, explained that AICS beneficiaries could receive cash aid amounting to P1,000 to P10,000, depending on the gravity of the crisis they are in. He also clarified that those injured could receive P5,000 while the kin of the dead could get P10,000. Lopez said more than 400 mall employees of the Gaisano Grand Koronadal mall received P2,000 in cash each and two boxes of food packs. Some 41 fisherfolk also got the P2,000 cash aid. —Dempsey Reyes