ALABEL, Sarangani (October 13, 2022) - The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has allocated a budget for the augmentation of support and provision of food and non-food assistance to some indigent out-of-school youth (OSY), children in-conflict with the law (CICL), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and women in Sarangani.

On October 13, 40 indigent PWDs, 50 OSYs, 20 women, and 20 CICL from Alabel town received food assistance. Each of them received seven kilos of rice, canned goods, and noodles.

The activity was conducted with the help of the Child and Youth Development Protection Program, Support to Provincial Juvenile Justice and Welfare Program, Institutional Support to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities Program, and Women Institutional Development Project.

According to Marilyn Ballocanag, provincial Gender and Development (GAD) focal person, the beneficiaries were identified through the help of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

"Nasimulan natin itong programa noong kasagsagan ng pandemic para makatulong sa ating indigent Sarangans sa kanilang pang araw-araw na pangangailangan, especially that time na restricted pa tayong lumabas at maghanap-buhay," said Ballocanag.

"Even though COVID-19 is still around and the restrictions are now lowered, we still want to keep it going so we can help more people, especially those who are struggling here in Sarangani," she said.

"Hindi man ganyan kalakihan yung ating nashi-share," Ballocanag said, "at least lang naman naiibsan natin yung kanilang hirap sa kanilang basic needs especially sa food."

Ballocanag reported that they have already conducted the distribution of assistance in Maitum and is set to conduct the distribution in the remaining towns in the province in the next few months.

Denirouxe Labrilla, 4, from Barangay Tokawal, who has severe hydrocephalus, was one of the beneficiaries who received assistance during the activity.

Jessica Labrilla, his mother, thanked the Sarangani Provincial Government, led by Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, for "having the heart for indigent PWDs."

"Dako kaayo ang gugma sa atong gobyerno ilabi na sa namo nga mga kabus og adunay mga kapamilya nga ga-antos sa ani nga sakit," Labrilla said. 

"Apaw-apaw among pagpasalamat ilabi na kay Governor Ruel Pacquiao og sa tanan niyang mga kauban sa pagpanguna sa atong probinsya tungod sa ilang tabang para kanamo," she added. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

  Martin Fernando E. Bernad Jr.