Ka Fuerte Cash-for-Work program brings hope to unemployed and convenience to locals

By Kyna de Castro

In Zone 5 of Brgy. La Purisima, Nabua, another pathwalk was successfully constructed because of the Cash For Work Program of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur. The Cash For Work Program is one of the programs implemented, not just to provide a temporary support and means of livelihood to its beneficiaries, but also to bring convenience through infrastructure projects to local residents of the community with issues in transportation and mobility because of muddy and unpaved roads especially during rainy seasons.

Benefitting the displaced workers and unemployed due to pandemic

As the pandemic broke out, a lot of people lost their jobs and livelihood. One of the most affected sectors is transport group where Franco Benico of La Purisima, Nabua, Camarines Sur is part of. He is a tricycle driver and one of the fortunate beneficiaries of the Cash-For-Work Program.

“Saro po akong driver nin tricycle tapos kan nag-pandemic po, halos mayo man pong naglulunad ta mayo man nin taong nagluluwas kaya medyo tiyaga-tiyaga lang kaidto. Muya kaming maray na nakabali kami igdi ta syempre nakatabang man na maka suporta sa pagbuhay mi ta mayo man nin trabaho na iba. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Cash-For-Work Program ta maski papano, may income kami tapos natawanan pa kami nin magayon na agihan. Kaya kaming mga residente igdi muya kaming maray,” shared Franco. He is grateful to have been part of the program that helped both the beneficiaries and residents.

In the Cash-For-Work Program, the laborer beneficiaries would usually work 10-15 days. In the case of Brgy. La Purisima, the beneficiaries worked on the construction of pathway for 12 days. According to Franco, considering the distance and length of the pathway that they will be constructing, it was impossible to finish it within 12 days. However, they were able to rent a mixer to make their labor easier and finish it in the days allotted to them.

“Sabi ko mag-rent kita nin mixer para ngako mapadali itong trabaho ta. Kaya nag renta kami nin mixer tapos itong mga residente igdi, nagtatarabang naman si iba, nagtao nin pagkakan. Halimbawa na tapat sa saindang harong, nagpapasnack man sinda kaya si mga trabador, muya man, ganado mag-trabaho ta pirming basog. Maogma si trabaho ta gabos nag-hihiro an tawo ta ang gusto kan tawo matapos na tulos para maagihan na,” he joyfully recalled as he was moved by the sense of Bayanihan among the local community and residents who always provide them food to keep them motivated despite the hard labor under the scorching heat of the sun. He explained that the residents were also excited for the pathway to get done so everyone tried to help them in ways they can.

Upon receiving his payment for his labor, Franco was delighted with the financial assistance that goes with the program. He shared that the amount the he received will be used to support his family to buy food and pay the bills while waiting for harvest season, “Si mareresibe mi sa payout mi sympre, para sa pamilya ta pang bakal nin bagas, dae pa man nag-aanihan igdi, pambayad ng kuryente, ang iba pang bayad sa mga inutangan na tindahan. Iyo man lang ito an inaasahan mi maibayad man giraray ta igwa kaming mga utang.”

A concerned local’s request

No one knows the needs of their community more than the locals. It was Rogelio Apundar who raised the concern and brought attention on the state of the passageway in their barangay. As a senior citizen and concerned resident who has witnessed the suffering of locals passing by through the years, he asked the help of a former barangay official to help him reach out to the Provincial Government to request for the Cash-For-Work Program which was immediately approved and around 414 bags of cement were delivered to the barangay along with bags of sand and gravel.

“Pag pirming nag-uuran igdi, pirming maputik asin masakit makaagi an mga lunadan. Kadto pag mauran, walat si mga lunadan sa kanto tapos maralakaw na lang an mga tawo pa igdi. Haloy mi na ining problema kaya naisipan kong mag request. Dakula man an pasasalamat ko asin dakulang onra an mapansin si request ko na mapaayos an samuyang agihan,” he gratefully shared.

Lolo Rogelio’s request and a long-time dream for a better passage is now realized and enjoyed by everyone from the barangay. When people thank him for it, he doesn’t want to take any credit and says it was all made possible because of the Provincial Government whose ears are ready to listen to the needs of its constituents.

“Dakulang karahayan an arog kaning programa kan satuyang gobyerno ta bako sana maray na agihan an natao ninda, natawanan man ninda nin pandagdag suporta si mga nawaraan nin trabaho,” he also added.

Witnessing the changes brought to the community

Living for almost 12 years in Brgy. La Purisima, Emir Adante was able to witness the changes brought to their community by the Cash-For-Work Program. Adante is delighted with the results of the construction of pathway that now brings convenience to the residents.

“Dati, problema na talaga namin dito ang daan na maputik kapag maulan. Ito yung lagi naming complain. Ngayon, malaking ginahawa na siya sa mga dadaan kasi naayos na siya at malawak na rin ang daanan. Ito rin yung matagal na pangarap namin dito sa barangay,” Emir shared.

According to Emir, even ambulance can now pass through if there are cases of emergency because of the pathway that was constructed. People will no longer need to pass through the highway as ambulance can now access their barangay. Even transporting goods would be much easier now.

“Malaking pakinabang na maayos yung daan dito kasi yung mga magta-transport ng goods, madali na para sa kanila. Tapos halibawa man may emergency na kailangan dalhin sa ospital, mabilis na makakapasok ang ambulance dito hindi tulad noong dati na maliit yung daan at lubak-lubak na halos di makapasok ang mga sasakyan. Ngayon, madali na ang transportasyon,” he explained.

In bliss, Emir added, “Natutuwa talaga kami. Hindi lang ako kasi lagi rin ako dumadaan dito, ginagamit ko an daanan na ito. Malaking ginhawa na ito sa aming lahat na gumagamit ng daan kaya maraming salamat po.”

KA FUERTE INFRA. Another project to bring convenience to local residents of the community with issues in transportation and mobility because of muddy and unpaved roads especially during rainy seasons. multimedia/rbmjr/03092022