In order to provide a holistic approach to providing assistance to poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged communities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VII implemented a Food-for-Work Program for Disaster Mitigation, benefiting the families of 10,668 individuals from Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor from July 18 to August 2, 2023.

Of the total 10,668 beneficiaries, 500 are from the Province of Bohol, 9,968 from Negros Oriental, and 200 from Siquijor. Each beneficiary received a Family Food Pack after successfully completing their disaster mitigation and preparedness activities.

Field Office VII released 10,668 family food packs, amounting to Php 6.3 million.

Participating beneficiaries are identified as poor, families living in disaster-prone areas, and members of sectoral groups selected by their respective local government units.

The implementation of diverse Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness activities by the beneficiaries aims to provide crucial assistance to the inhabitants of these areas, particularly those dwelling in low-lying areas. Engaging in preventive and mitigation measures, such as clearing waterways, tree planting, mangrove planting, canal and creek cleaning, and drainage system repair, proves to be instrumental in significantly reducing the adverse impacts of calamities.

The implementation was also requested by the LGUs, who sought assistance from the Field Office due to the limited resources, urgency, and importance of the activity.

This Food-for-Work Program, implemented through the Disaster Response Management Division in close partnership with the LGUs, aims to extend short-term food augmentation to disadvantaged groups or families and strengthen their relationship through collective and concerted community undertakings. ###

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