Jobless Boracay folk assured: There’s enough funds

Workers collect algae from the beaches of Boracay on Labor Day as part of a cash-for-work program for people who lost jobs as a result of the resort island’s closure to tourism. —LYN RILLON

BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN—Displaced workers continued to flock to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) action center to receive transportation allowance to return to their hometowns after losing their jobs in this resort island.

Rebecca Geamala, DSWD Western Visayas director, said the processing and distribution of the transportation allowance would continue for at least two more weeks to allow more workers, who were not natives of Boracay, to receive cash aid of up to P5,000 for transportation and meals.

Geamala said the agency had released P7.1 million to 3,115 individuals as of 10 p.m. of May 1.

The crowd on Wednesday was thinner at the DSWD center at Faith Village Resort compared to the one on Tuesday.

Enough funds

Four people had fallen ill and a stampede nearly erupted at the center as the workers waited hours before the center opened.

Geamala repeatedly assured applicants that there were enough funds for displaced workers who needed help for transportation.

Workers who would return to their hometowns would get help from DSWD offices in their areas.

Geamala dismissed speculations that the agency had run out of funds.

The DSWD started holding village assemblies for the implementation of livelihood projects including cash-for-work programs for Boracay residents.

Package

The aid package would include burial and medical assistance and education subsidy, according to Geamala.

The local government of Malay and national government agencies estimated that at least 17,000 registered workers and 19,000 informal workers were displaced by the closure of the island to tourists.