DSWD-CAR RELEASES P14 MILLION FOR VENDORS AFFECTED BY MARKET FIRE INCIDENT

March 18, 2023 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) distributed a total of P14,100,000 to a total of 1,410 eligible vendors displaced due to the massive fire incident that gutted Block 3 and Block 4 at midnight of March 11, 2023. DSWD-CAR and city officials led the distribution of P10,000 each to the eligible vendors from the agency’s
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) fund at the PFVR gymnasium early today.

Eligibility of beneficiaries were assessed and processed by the City Social Welfare and Development Office of the total 1,640 vendors with business permits per records of the City Treasury Office. At least 230 vendors failed to register and were not given their AICS. The CSWDO said they are working out a system to accommodate vendors who failed to register after the cut-off period.

Family food packs from the city government were also provided by the CSWDO. Meanwhile, massive clean-up drives continue at the city market with around 200 Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) personnel, Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and General Services Office (GSO)
and other volunteers at the helm.

As a temporary solution, City Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio said the city government will allow 84 slots at Malcolm Square and 32 spaces at Igorot Garden for dry goods sellers at the market
through drawing of slots among 500 affected vendors. The city council led by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan in a special session on March 16 approved the P8 million fund for the rehabilitation of
Blocks 3 and 4 which has been certified available by the Local Finance Committee.

JMPS