In its effort to help restore the livelihood of typhoon Yolanda survivors, the DSWD launched the ‘Cash for Assets’ programme that employs the poorest in the Visayas region in infrastructure projects.

Cash for Assets aims to kill two birds with one stone by giving people a means to earn a living and at the same time restore damaged roads and buildings in their hometown. The infrastructure projects include river and irrigation dredging, restoration of farmlands and farm-to-market roads, rebuilding of markets, schools and clearing of roads.

The DSWD vowed to prioritise employment of survivors from the poorest sectors like those who did not have employment before the typhoon hit the region and those who formerly worked as informal labourers like street vendors.

Those who will be employed will be paid the minimum wage for 15 days through their local government unit. More than 140,000 have already benefited from the Cash for Assets programme. However, the DSWD is calling for livelihood partners from the private sector for their extended support.

DSWD is expected to boost its livelihood efforts for Yolanda survivors by giving Php1.5b capital to at least 150,000 poor families in the Visayas.