Naga city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has distributed PHP30 million in livelihood assistance to 1,513 residents of 25 barangays in Naga City, Camarines Sur who were affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio stated that the post-disaster recovery efforts align with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who emphasized the need for improved disaster response measures. Each recipient received PHP20,000 as a livelihood settlement grant to help initiate their microenterprises.

Laurio noted that the primary income sources for these individuals involved managing sari-sari stores, food vending, and selling dry goods, all of which were destroyed during the storm in October 2024. The grants aim to assist displaced persons in regaining sustainable income sources following the economic disruptions caused by the disaster.

The initiative is part of several strategies employed by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which serves as the DSWD's main capacity-building program. One of the grantees, Losa Genaro Sarte, and his partner, Cheska Mae Mendoza, from Barangay Concepcion Grande, shared their experience of economic setbacks after the storm destroyed their store.

Mendoza recounted the loss: 'Our merchandise was wiped out. We had just bought everything, and then it was all swept away. Even our pots and our house were destroyed, as we lived close to the river.' With the grant, Mendoza expressed eagerness to rebuild their sari-sari store and restock their supplies, thanking the DSWD for their assistance.

'Thank you very much for this significant help for those of us with small shops that were damaged by the typhoon. Now, we can restore it. We are very grateful; it has been a tremendous support,' she added.