DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has turned over cash aid worth P9 million to 3,000 beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICs) Program in Negros Oriental.
The payout was held on Nov. 20 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, this city with Sen. Imee Marcos as the guest of honor.
DSWD7 Regional Director Shalaine Lucero, together with Gov. Roel Degamo, his wife and Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, and Vice Gov. Guido Reyes also joined in the distribution of the said financial assistance.
Beneficiaries were from the municipalities of Sibulan, Dauin, Tayasan, Bindoy, Siaton, Pamplona, Ayungon, and San Jose.
Each of them were identified by their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDOs).
Each beneficiary received P3, 000 from the DSWD.
In her speech, Marcos underscored that the cash aid is part of the government’s direct interventions to the people to help them cope with the rising prices of commodities.
“Ngayon naman ang mga bilihin, ang presyo ng bugas, sobrang mahal pati iyong ating mga gulay, lahat ng pagkain. Pati gasolina mas mahal na ang krudo o ang diesel. Gusto natin ibalik itong ayuda. Direktamenteng tulong sa tao (Right now, prices of commodities have increased including rice, vegetable, and other food items, gasoline, and diesel. This is the reason why we want to extend assistance. This is a direct intervention to the people),” the senator said.
Director Lucero disclosed part of the recipients of AICs include senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities, women, solo parents, and other individuals considered under vulnerable sectors.
“This one is pagtubag sa other needs. Ang atong AICs Program naa tay para education, para burial, naay food, para medical, and transportation. Ang ika-unom gitawag nato siya na other needs na makatubag sa ubang pahinganlanon na wala didto sa lima (This is intended to help them address their other needs. The AICs program is intended for education, burial, food, medical, and transportation assistance. There is also a sixth category called other needs which is for circumstances that are not part of the first five),” Director Lucero explained.
“Mas responsive ni kay bisang usna ang sitwasyon sa pamilya na naa sa krisis, moanhi si DSWD (This is more responsive because DSWD is ready to provide aid to families in crisis),” she added.
One of the recipients of the cash aid was Marcelina Adalid from Masaplod Norte, in Dauin town.
Adalid thanked DSWD and the senator for conducting the activity and for including her as one of the beneficiaries of the program.
“Daghan kaayo ko og maintenance (medicine). Daghan kaayo salamat kay makatabang ni kay makapalit na ko og maintenance (I take a lot of maintenance medicines. I am thankful for this because I now have the money to buy my medications),” Adalid said.
Adalid hopes that DSWD will hold another round of payout so more people can benefit from the program.
Lucero reiterated the agency’s commitment to provide services and support to individuals in crisis.
She urged them to visit their respective local social welfare and development offices or the DSWD office in the province to avail of these programs. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
