COTABATO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) released Friday cash grants to some 1,615 victims of a massive fire in Sulu’s Jolo town under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program.
President Rodrigo Duterte led the releasing of cash grants. The beneficiaries were displaced after fire burned thousands of homes in the villages of Busbus and Walled City on July 24. The grants include P2,000 each under the government’s UCT program.
The UCT is a measure to protect residents classified under the no-income sectors who will not benefit from lower income taxes but will be adversely affected by the increase of prices due to the implementation of the imposition of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.
Atty. Laisa Alamia, ARMM Executive Secretary and concurrent DSWD regional Secretary, said the cash grants would be given immediately to those affected by the fire. “What little we can do to alleviate their suffering should be of top most priority now. The extra amount from the UCT will go a long way for the IDPs,” Alamia said.
The 1,325 beneficiaries from Busbus and 290 from Walled City in Jolo will receive a total of P16,484,400 in cash grants. Day-care and elementary school children will receive P300 each while P500 will be given to every high school student displaced by the fire. Pregnant women who have to undergo prenatal checkups will also be given P500 each for health allowance.
The DSWD-ARMM situation report shows that some 30,000 victims are still displaced and in temporary shelters at 5 evacuation centers in Sulu. The ARMM government, together with the Office of the President, is firm in providing support and assistance to the IDPs.
Psychological aid
The Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) said it is providing psychological first aid to students adversely affected by the huge fire.
“Initially nagkaroon ng psychological first aid para sa mga Grade 1 to Grade 6 students,” said Atty. Rasol Mitmug, DepEd-ARMM Secretary.
He said such assistance provided to victims, especially the children, help them cope with psychological trauma in the aftermath of the disaster.
Mitmug said they have yet to verify the total number of students affected by the fire. Initial report shows 92 students from Jolo National High School; over 200 students from Sulu National High School; 100 pupils from Mohammad Tulawie Central Elementary School, and 9 pupils in Asturias Elementary School were displaced by the fire.
“Meron din kaming ino-organize na relief goods for donation,” Mitmug said, adding, those who want to give their donations can visit drop-off sites such as the DepEd’s regional and divisions offices.
Reports also show that over 5,000 families, or 30,000 individuals, were displaced by the fire. Some of them are currently staying at five evacuation centers namely: Jolo Municipal Hall, Jolo Tennis Court, Philippine Muslim College, Notre Dame Gym, and Busbus Barangay Hall.
The regional government has extended initial relief assistance to the fire victims. (Bureau of Public Information)
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