LGU-SoLeyte provides cash assistance to 777 distressed persons

By ES GORNE, PIA Southern Leyte
January 16, 2012

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  A  total of 777 distressed persons availed of the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) by the local government of Southern Leyte, a regular social services program designed to provide relief to needy individuals and their families particularly in times of crisis situations.

Together with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the Southern Leyte Congressional District thru the initiatives of Congressman Roger Mercado and the PAGCOR, the assistance for individuals in crisis situations totaled to P1.294 M, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Social Welfare Assistant Amelia Malazarte reported to PIA.

Malazarte said the provincial government appropriated in the amount of P956,800 for AICS while the PDAF reached to P290,500 and P47,300 from PAGCOR were being utilized for its social services last year.

She added that said cash assistance were intended for the purchase of medicines, burial assistance, educational assistance, transportation needs, emergency food, laboratory examinations, CT scan, confirmatory test, vitamins, heart examinations, among other needs.

Cash assistance releases varies from the urgency of an individuals’ needs from P500 up to P2,000 from the AICS, however, P500 up to P5,000 varied assistance also were availed from the PDAF and PAGCOR, she added.

While, another relief augmentation in the amount of P720,000 were being released to at least 1,000 families in the municipalities of Hinundayan, Sogod, St. Bernard and Bontoc during the evacuations in the early months of 2011 due to floodings.