VIGAN CITY, Apr. 19 (PIA) – Livestock, Sari-Sari or convenience store, and poultry—are some of the proposed uses of the 500 beneficiaries for the Household Livelihood Assistance from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Ilocos Sur Chapter.

On April 18, the PRC – Ilocos Sur spearheaded the distribution of P10,000.00 to each recipient in the municipality of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur held at the covered court of Barangay Cabaroan.

PRC-Ilocos Sur Administrator Veronica Tactay said, “The distribution of the cash assistance amounting to a total of P5,000,000.00 for the typhoon Maring affected communities in the province was made possible through the partnership of PRC and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).”

The livelihood assistance was handed to the beneficiaries by staff of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) Ilocos. 

According to the chapter administrator, the PRC National Headquarters tapped PHLPost to handle the donation as part of the fund transparency efforts of the organization.

The livelihood cash grant program aims to provide assistance and alleviate the lives of the affected families of the Severe Tropical Storm Maring that hit the province badly in the last quarter of 2021.

“We appreciate the Philippine Red Cross and we are grateful to them for helping us with our  livelihood through this cash assistance. I will use this as capital to sell frozen goods, vinegar and other goods in our community,” said Jovita Ventura, beneficiary from Brgy. Tinaan, Santa Maria.  

There were 145 recipients from Brgy. Cabaroan, Santa Maria, while there were 78 in Brgy. Tinaan of the same town.

The PRC Ilocos Sur will be distributing the cash grant to the 145 beneficiaries in Villa Hermosa, Santa Cruz, and the 132 recipients in the two barangays of Santa Lucia - Paratong and Nagrebcan – in the following weeks.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of PRC Ilocos Sur Lawyer Carmelita Crisologo, Treasurer Lenita Caparas Parto, Public Relations Officer Doctor Mila Guerrero, Board of Directors Ilocos Norte member Annet Abuan, and the Barangay Chairperson of Cabaroan, Santa Maria Florentina Racca also witnessed the distribution program along with volunteers and employees of the PRC Ilocos Sur.

Moreover, the PRC has provided assistance to more than 1,400 families in Ilocos Sur in the form of food, cash, shelter materials, non-food items, and livelihood support since the onslaught of the STS Maring. (JCR, JPD/ ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)