Samboan, Cebu – On Wednesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Central Visayas reported the distribution of family food packs to 6,741 families in the southern town of Samboan, Cebu. The distribution is part of the Food-for-Work Program, a short-term initiative providing temporary employment and aid to distressed or displaced individuals and families in disaster-prone or disadvantaged areas.
According to Philippines News Agency, families from 15 different villages in Samboan participated in various disaster mitigation works, including tree planting of over 400 seedlings, as well as desilting and declogging of barangay drainage systems, rivers, and canals to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall. Each participating family received a family food pack (FFP) in exchange for three days of work, carried out from October 18 to 20.
"The Food-for-Work Program aims to extend assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and families by giving FFPs and creating temporary employment while at the same time encouraging the community to participate in projects that benefit their locality," Lucero stated. She also mentioned that the total worth of assistance released in Samboan amounted to PHP4.2 million.
The program was implemented following a request from the local government of Samboan and was overseen by the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Division. Participants in the Food-for-Work Program are engaged in community-based projects focused on preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation, and risk reduction.