DSWD extends assistance to Iriga fire victims

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said that it has extended financial assistance to around 90 market vendors who were affected by a fire in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

According to DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez, the fire struck past midnight on February 2.

“The identified vendors were tent stall owners who were greatly affected by the fire past midnight on Feb. 2,” Lopez said.

On Monday, the DSWD distributed P100,000 cash aid to each stall owner through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program.

The agency said that it also gave out 228 family food packs and other non-food items worth P193,000 to others affected by the fire.

The DSWD Field Office will also provide livelihood assistance for the affected market vendors, and a start-up capital ranging from P10,000 to P20,000 will be distributed through its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“On top of these initial responses, our Field Office is also set to provide livelihood assistance for their early recovery and rehabilitation of the affected market vendors,” Lopez added.

Currently, the vendors are in the Barangay San Francisco evacuation center and at the Early Childhood Care Development Center.