DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo together with Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman led through the distribution of cash assistance to Sama Bajaus through AICS Program, November 29 at Multipurpose Hall, West Terminal, Barangay Aguada.

Five hundred (500) beneficiaries from the 7 barangays of Malamawi Island received an amount of P10,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office.

In her message, Mayor Turabin-Hataman thanked the DSWD for their assistance, particularly in Isabela City due to the high number of IPs. She also urges the IPs not to leave Isabela City, pointing out that they are frequently seen begging on the streets of Metro Manila and other cities, and emphasizes that this is only the first of many services provided by the DSWD as they are here to assist.

“Kung maaari huwag na tayong lumuwas, kaya sila nandito (DSWD) ay para ibigay ang tulong sa inyo, upang hindi na kayo mamroblema magpunta sa Manila, hindi natin alam kung anong maaaring mangyari doon, kaya dito na lang tayo sa lugar natin maghanap-buhay”

Birth certificate registration of the Sama Bajaus was also held in collaboration with the City Civil Registrar, led by City Civil Registrar Officer Dayang Mirhama Jaljalis, and 176 of the 500 participants present had already registered under PhilSys.

Gracing the event were Usec. Francis Jerico Javier, Usec. Denise Florence Bragas, Asec. Romel Lopez, SMS Service Director Marloulie Sulima and DSWD IX Regional Director Riduan Hadjimuddin, Asst. Regional Directors Salmah Basher and Ma. Corazon Sumicad. IPMR Marymay Julhari, Councilor Bimbo Epping, SAO Robert Arseña II, LYDO Levinia Jarejolne, barangay chairs from Malamawi Island, namely: Bino Danial, Sitti Khadija Amil, Sarahaida Tiplani, Nusul Usman, Abral Abdurahman and Abdulhan Maharan, CSWDO, LEDIPO, and LYDO staff were also present. (Words by S.J. Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)

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