Livelihood assistance extended to NSCR-affected families

Nearly 200 families displaced by the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) in Bulacan were each provided P15,000 worth of sari-sari store packages by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as additional source of income.

Another batch of families will undergo livelihood training, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 500.

Each beneficiary received the “Ginhawa Pangkabuhayan Sari-Sari Store Package,” made up of assorted grocery items and seven 25-kilogram sacks of rice, to augment existing stores.

“The President’s order is to not neglect, and to ensure, the livelihood of those affected by government projects. We hope what we gave them for business, such as the sari-sari store package and rice, will grow further so they will have additional income,” said Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) Irish Calaguas said the livelihood package is among the agency’s priority programs for those affected by its railway projects.

“The priority of the DOTr is not only to pay you for your houses, not only to provide a new relocation site, but of course to give you a means of earning a living,” Calaguas said.

She urged the beneficiaries to grow their sari-sari stores into profitable businesses.

“The request of Secretary Banoy is that you take care of this, because it came from your taxes. Let us make it grow. I reaffirm our commitment that the Department of Transportation is your partner,” Calaguas added.

Under the DOTr Livelihood Restoration and Improvement Program, beneficiaries receive merchandise for their preferred livelihood activities, such as grocery items, frozen goods and car wash materials, among others.

DOTr partnered with the Provincial Government of Bulacan, under Governor Daniel Fernando, for the transfer of funds that facilitated livelihood for businesses and employment.