ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 6 said, August 11, that it has already endorsed to its Central Office the request of the Iloilo City government for time extension in the distribution of the Special Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
“Over the years, DSWD has always been receptive to the LGUs because they are our partners. We are also considering current health protocols that have to be observed. At the end of the day, we want everyone to have food on their tables and survive the pandemic,” said DSWD 6 Director Evelyn Macapobre in the agency’s press report.
In a Facebook post, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas also said that he has requested for a two-week extension from DSWD considering that the city is under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), where mass gatherings are avoided.
“I also informed the DSWD that we will probably exceed the number that was given to us. As soon as, all persons have been verified, and the total number is arrived at, we will immediately request for additional ayuda for them,” said Trenas.
He also expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for the assistance provided to Ilonggos.
DSWD has transferred a total of P2.6 billion for the implementation of Special AICS in the City and Iloilo Province on July 29 to 30.
Some 665,561 families in the city and province are targeted to benefit from the financial assistance.
In lloilo City alone, there are 115,436 target families with a P461 million stimulus package, according to DSWD 6.
Also, in response to the request for additional food packs of the city government, DSWD Regional Office 6 has requested for additional family food packs as part of its resource augmentation role to LGUs.
In a letter addressed to DSWD Undersecretary Felicisimo Budiongan, head of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB), a total of 100,000 family food packs for Region 6 was requested including the expressed need of Iloilo City.
“We acknowledge the need of the city and the neighboring provinces and as long as we have available supply, we will augment their resources,” said Macapobre. (JBG/laf/PIA6-Iloilo/DSWD6/Photos courtesy of Iloilo CTO)
