(Photo courtesy of DSWD)
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured vendors and food stall owners in Pasay and Parañaque cities that they would receive financial assistance to offset income losses caused by temporary business closures ahead of the ASEAN Summit.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed the agency to ensure affected vendors receive assistance before the international gathering begins.
Speaking during an aid distribution at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School in Pasay City, Gatchalian acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by small business owners whose operations were disrupted by security preparations.
“Bagamat humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa mga naantala ang hanapbuhay dahil sa napipintong ASEAN Summit, ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay masigurado na mabigyan sila ng tulong pinansyal kasi alam natin na wala silang kikitain sa mga araw na iyon,” Gatchalian said.
Under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, each qualified vendor will receive Php 10,000 in cash assistance and family food packs to help cover essential household needs.
Gatchalian said the agency aims to complete all payouts by Friday, November 13, ahead of the summit.
He emphasized that even a single day without income could create serious financial difficulties for families dependent on daily earnings.
The DSWD earlier distributed Php 10,000 each to 30 affected establishments on Sunday, November 8, followed by another 50 beneficiaries during Wednesday’s payout.
In Parañaque City, approximately 1,300 vendors operating near Baclaran Church were initially identified for assistance, while local authorities in Pasay continued validating their list of affected vendors.
Gatchalian said the DSWD would immediately process assistance once local government units submitted their finalized beneficiary lists.
The secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to reaching all qualified vendors before the summit, acknowledging the disruption caused by security restrictions.
“Basta lahat iyan matutulungan natin kaagad. Ang direktiba ng Pangulo, bago magsimula ang ASEAN Summit,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD said the assistance aims to provide immediate financial relief to workers and small business owners temporarily deprived of their livelihoods during summit preparations.
