“Thank you very much for helping me go to school.”
Jinny E. Caridad, a second year high school student from Barangay San Fernando, Talisay City, thanked Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) during the turn-over of cash aid held at the Barangay Zone 2 Covered Court in Talisay City on Tuesday, September 6.
Caridad is among the 1,035 students from the Third District who received educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program facilitated by Benitez for all cities and municipalities of the Third District, a press release from his office said.
On August 31 to September 6, separate distributions of the cash assistance were held in the cities of Victorias, Silay, Talisay and the towns of EB Magalona and Murcia to a total of 1,896 beneficiaries of the medical and burial aid, as well as the educational support.
This brings to 3,843 residents reached by the Congressional District Office since August 22, to avail of one of the DSWD protective services for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.
Through the efforts of Benitez , a total of P 10 million allocation for the Third District will be availed by qualified residents, the press release said.
For medical, funeral, food, transportation and other support services, the assistance ranges from P 5,000 to P 10,000 as assessment is based on individual circumstances. Education assistance ranges from P 4,000 to P 7,500 per qualified student.
Working hand in hand for the implementation of this resource augmentation support for local governments are the Congressional District staff, DSWD Regional Office representatives and local government social welfare personnel, the press release added.
Third District programs and services focal persons based in the satellite offices are Allana Montepio (0918-4552696) for Victorias, Sonia Macapagal (0919-64444578) for EB Magalona, Jicky Casiple (0918-5022736) for Silay, Bonnie Rose Dajay (0928-8334076) for Talisay, and Benjie Villa (0968-7439237) for Murcia, the press release said.*