CamSur Families Receive PHP2.9 Million Aid After Conflict

Camarines Sur – A total of 147 families in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, who were affected by a recent conflict between government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA), have received PHP2.9 million in livelihood assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

According to Philippines news Agency, the DSWD Bicol SLP social marketing officer, the families each received PHP20,000 on June 24, 2024, to support the restoration of their livelihoods disrupted by the conflict in March. Zaragoza detailed that the funds are intended to serve as capital for starting new businesses or other livelihood activities to sustain the families’ daily needs. He added that while the majority of the grants were already distributed, the remaining assistance for four families would be disbursed within the week.

The identification and validation of the beneficiaries were conducted by the local government unit of Del Gallego. Zaragoza emphasized that in addition to financial aid, the families received family food packs and essential non-food relief items, including sleeping kits and family kits, which amounted to PHP357,000. This assistance was part of the initial response following the clashes on March 4, which affected 147 families or about 725 individuals in Barangay Santa Rita and Bagong Silang. Despite the severity of the situation, there were no reports of collateral damage or civilian casualties during the incident.