Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon held a consultation with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the provincial ecotourism department last Tuesday to discuss alternative livelihood plans and food-assistance programs for the families affected by the suspension of canyoneering activity in the southwest municipality of Cebu.
Programs such as food-for-work and cash-for-work were being considered as alternative livelihoods for the affected families. Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera said the officers of PSWDO were deployed to the site last Tuesday to assess the needs of the 80 families affected by the suspension of canyoneering activity from June 1 to August 1.
These families are composed of vendors, canyoneering guides and habal-habal drivers.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III issued an executive order last June 1 to suspend the canyoneering activity in the towns of Alegria and Badian, southwest Cebu for two months based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
“In its report to the governor, the PDRRMO recommended the “provisional closure” of the canyoneering site on the basis of its findings that it will require the formulation of policies and strict guidelines to ensure the safety of residents and tourists at the site, and the cooperation and close coordination between the local governments of Alegria and Badian on the matter of regulating the canyoneering activities there,” read Davide’s order.
No specific policy was created yet on the food-for-work but Natera said the PSWDO assured it will not be characterized as a dole-out program.
Magallon said the cash-for-work program has already started before the elections.
“We are given budget to organize our cash-for-work program in Alegria,” said Magallon.
Magallon said the cash-for-work program is intended not only for the families who relied on canyoneering as their source of income but for all residents in the nine barangays of Alegria.
“Right now, we are eyeing a potential tourist site just along the route of Kanlaob river,” said Magallon.
Magallon said they have trained 16 individuals on cottage building, restaurant and food handling, and culinary as part of their plans to boost tourism in the area.
The PSWDO will also provide food processing, handling, and culinary seminars for the affected vendors.
Natera said rice will also be distributed to the affected families. /UP Cebu Intern Morexette Marie Erram
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