Some 977 residents of E. B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental have availed of various livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Data on Tuesday showed that 300 owners of micro and small enterprises were granted cash aid while 677 vulnerable workers have been deployed under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Mayor Marvin Malacon said he requested assistance from the DSWD, through the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Livelihood Assistance Grant, for support or additional capital to viable micro-enterprises.

“Their income and livelihood had been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of the community quarantines,” he added.

Of the 300 vendors, some 200 received PHP10,000 cash each while 100 were granted PHP15,000 each.

The release of the assistance was facilitated by the offices of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Third District Rep. Jose Franciso Benitez, and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Rose Alejandrino, a beneficiary from Barangay 3, expressed gratitude to the officials for helping them avail of the government assistance that would enable them to continue earning livelihood after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last June, 75 vendors in E. B. Magalona also received PHP10,000 each under the same DSWD program.

Meanwhile, some 677 workers, who are beneficiaries of the DOLE-TUPAD program received personal protective equipment for their 10-day work, which started on Sept. 16.

Public Employment Service Office manager Jessilyn Plaza said they are conducting a cleanup drive in their respective barangays for four hours each day.

After completing the 10 days, they will be paid at a rate of PHP450 per day or a total of PHP4,500.

A flagship employment program of the DOLE, the TUPAD provides emergency employment for vulnerable workers by assigning them to render various community services. (PNA)