QUEZON CITY, Feb. 3 — More than 4.5 million worth of livelihood assistance has been released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the families of the Special Action Force (SAF) police officers who were killed during the clash with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the amount will fund the proposed livelihood projects of the families of the SAF personnel.
As of January 2016, DSWD has released cheques to 25 dependents with varying amounts corresponding to their livelihood proposals.
The projects include poultry/hog raising; setting up of mini-grocery, bakeshop, internet cafe and computer shop; sale of aromacology products; and, food preservation, among others.
The livelihood assistance for 12 more dependents is now being facilitated by concerned DSWD Field Offices for immediate release to the family members.
Likewise, DSWD Field Offices are now securing signatures on the Deed of Donations and Memorandum of Understanding with 29 other dependents for the immediate processing of their cheques.
Aside from livelihood aid, DSWD also provided the relatives of the SAF members with financial and burial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Program, and psycho-social counselling.
Meanwhile, the elder parents were included in the agency’s Social Pension Program. Sec. Soliman committed to continue assisting the families by providing monitoring and technical assistance in the management of their livelihood projects. (PCOO/DSWD)