Lapu-Lapu expands ‘Libreng Sakay’ program

Local

THE Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lapu-Lapu City is expanding its Libreng Sakay program to island communities.

Nagiel Bañacia, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said the cash-for-work program will not only benefit jeepney drivers, but also boat operators and fisherfolk in the island barangays.

“Second batch is ang isla, pero atong sabuton, tagaan ka namo og ing-ani… pila ang bangka, P540…pero sa inyong paglawaig gikan sa Cahubian padulong sa main land, sa usa kabyahe, libre sakay tanan” Bañacia said, emphasizing that this way, both the boat operators and the passengers can benefit from the assistance provided by the local government.

Bañacia noted that the impact of the economic crunch on island communities is double compared to the mainland because of logistical requirements.

Lapu-Lapu has 11 island barangays.

A week ago, the CDRRMO went to the farthest island in the city, Barangay Caubian, to also provide assistance to boat operators worth P540 each per day, or a total of P2,700 for five days.

A total 181 fisherfolk and boat operators benefited from the program.

The next targets are the beneficiaries in the barangays of Cawhagan and Pangan-an.

Bañacia said that while the social welfare office provided financial assistance to all organized groups of fisherfolk, the CDRRMO focuses on remote islands.

“Ang sa amoa lahi, basta kay naa kay pumboat, tagaan ka namo, nananrabaho ka sa pumpboat tagaan ka namo, kay kining atong, financial assistance…Ang disaster office, ang among priority are the vulnerable sectors, and marginalized sector” he said.

The financial assistance provided by the CDRRMO came from its disaster fund.(MyTVCebu)