Mayor Evelio Leonardia oversaw the distribution of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) financial assistance facilitated by Senator Bong Go to beneficiaries from various sectors at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby Thursday, September 2.
A total of 3,943 beneficiaries from different barangays were expected to receive their financial assistance from the DSWD through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in four simultaneous distribution areas Thursday, a press release from the Bacolod City Public Information Office said.
Of the total number of beneficiaries, 34 families were fire victims from barangays 12 and Alijis. Each family receives P10,000, the press release said.
The other beneficiaries were market vendors from the three major public markets of the city- Libertad, Central, and Burgos, and from other sectors. Each beneficiary received P3,000 in financial aid.
Aside from the Bacolod City Government Center, other distribution areas were at the Gonzaga Gym in Barangay Taculing, Libertad Market, and Marapara Gym.
The office of Go, represented by Samantha Dela Peña, has partnered with the DSWD, represented by Assistant Secretary Victor Neri, to grant P10,000 to each family hit by fire, and P3,000 for the AICS program.
In addition, Go’s staff distributed lunch packs to beneficiaries, and raffled off mountain bikes, shoes, and tablets.
Go’s office also gave additional P2,000 to the fire victims.
Leonardia said “today, our patron is Senator Bong Go. Because of the pandemic, everyone was affected. Not only Bacolod but the whole country. Let’s thank Senator Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte for always being there for Bacolod.”
Organizing the distribution program was the city’s DSSD, headed by Pacita Tero.
The AICS is part of DSWD’s protective services for the poor, marginalized and vulnerable/disadvantaged individuals.
On Wednesday, Leonardia also handed out financial assistance to 454 Persons With Disability, also at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center, is in partnership with Go’s office.
The DTI offered all the fire victims a free program for training on entrepreneurship, the press release said.*