The Enhanced Support Services Intervention (ESSI) is designed to provide short-term cash assistance to households identified through the Social Welfare and Development Indicator assessment. The program prioritizes those in need, offering them the opportunity to contribute to their communities through disaster preparedness, rehabilitation, and risk reduction projects.
One such beneficiary is Jocent S. Luna, a 46-year-old solo parent from Bayabas, Surigao del Sur. For nearly 11 years, Jocent has shouldered the responsibility of raising his children alone. He works as a laborer and also volunteers with the Search and Emergency Response Team of Surigao del Sur (SERTSS), which is part of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) unit of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bayabas.
Jocent is a firm believer that to be a responsible father, he must do everything he can to provide for his children. While life has been challenging, he remains committed and continues to thrive despite the difficulties.
As one of the recipients of the ESSI Cash-for-Work program, Jocent participated in the Narra Tree Planting project at Amag Elementary School. This project is not just about planting trees; it’s a crucial step in mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing the risk of natural disasters like landslides in their community.
Jocent shared his thoughts about the project:
“Dako kayo ug ikatabang ang maong proyekto sa among Barangay sa Amag, labi na sa gitawag nato nga climate change, mga kalamidad sama sa landslide ug uban pa ngadto sa kinaiyahan. Importante kaayo ang maong Tree Planting sa eskwelahan sa nakita usab namo ang lugar nga disaster-prone area gayud. Ug dakong tabang kini sa tanan, labaw na sa mga Kabataan. Isip usa ka recipient sa maong proyekto, ang cash assistance nga akong nadawat sulod sa 10 ka adlaw nga trabaho nakatabang gayud ug dako dugang bayad sa mga requirements sa eskwelahan sa akong mga anak. Nanghinaot ako nga daghan pa ang moabot nga proyekto sa among Barangay aron daghan pud ang matabangan nga sama nako. Dili gayod nako kalimtan ang tanan apil ang akong nakat-onan sa 4Ps.”
He added, “This tree planting project is a big help to our Barangay, especially with the threats of climate change, disasters like landslides, and other environmental challenges. It’s especially important for us here because we live in a disaster-prone area. This initiative not only helps the community but also benefits the children, who will grow up with a better understanding of environmental protection. The cash assistance I received for 10 days of work was a huge help in covering the school fees for my children. I hope there will be more projects like this in our Barangay to help more people like me. I will never forget the lessons I’ve learned, especially through the 4Ps program.”
Jocent’s story reflects the positive impact that small community-driven projects can have on individuals and families. By participating in the ESSI Cash-for-Work program, he not only contributed to his community’s resilience but also secured valuable support for his family’s immediate needs.
