The Negros Occidental provincial government did seek an exemption from the Commission on Elections ban on distribution of assistance from September 15 to October 30, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Wednesday, September 6.
Nellas said a memorandum was sent to all provincial government departments heads to submit their list of projects for application for exemption from the election ban.
However, they submitted their lists close to the September 1 deadline, he said.
He also said that upon evaluation of the projects it was determined that the distribution can be scheduled before or after the ban.
The dates for the provincial government’s distribution of aid to hog raisers whose animals died from various diseases have not been set yet.
Only distribution of calamity aid is exempted from the ban, Nellas said.*