VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – A total of 1,000 residents of the province of Ilocos Sur received cash aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday.
Each beneficiary received P3,000 and a grocery package through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
According to the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office, the beneficiaries are residents in crisis or persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, senior citizens, and youth who requested for educational assistance.
Neil Galano, 37, resident of Santa Cruz town, was one of the beneficiaries.
He has been a dialysis patient for more than 12 years now.
Due to limited sources of income and expensive cost of dialysis, it’s been difficult for his family to sustain his medication.
“Tumutulong lang ako sa bahay o sa pagsasaka kapag kaya pero kung hindi, lumalapit kami sa iba't ibang sangay o opisina ng gobyerno para maipagpatuloy ang aking pagpapagamot kaya malaking bagay itong tulong para sakin,” he said.
Anghel Isabelo Olliero, 77, resident of Magsingal town, also expressed his gratitude to the government for the assistance.
He said he will use the money for his asthma medication and for their day-to-day needs with his wife.
“Umaasa lang kaming mag-asawa sa mga binibigay na tulong ng gobyerno gaya ng senior citizen pension. Sa sakit ko, iyong inhaler talaga ang mahal pero sa tulong ng ibat-ibang opisina na aming nalalapitan, sa awa ng Diyos ay nakakabili pa rin,” he said.
"Maraming salamat sa mga tulong ng gobyerno, maraming salamat at prayoridad niyo kaming mahihirap," he added.
Apart from the cash aid from the DSWD, the office of Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, who was present during the ceremonial distribution, also gave basketball, shoes, bikes and mobile phones, among others. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)