• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A total of 500 residents across various sectors received financial assistance yesterday, as the Bacolod City government completed the distribution of P4.6 million in livelihood grants.
Department of Social Services and Development head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said the payout is part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) aimed at boosting small businesses and aiding post-calamity recovery.
The 469 beneficiaries received P10,000 each in financial assistance, including 66 vendors and 327 farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihoods were devastated by Typhoon Tino in November 2025.
The payout also supported 45 distressed clients and 21 Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program clients
When combined with 31 plaza vendors who had previously claimed their assistance, the program reached the 500-beneficiary milestone under the 2025 SLP Fund.
Mayor Greg Gasataya clarified that this specific SLP initiative is funded entirely by the city government.
He noted that the local assistance is separate from the Emergency Cash Transfer program provided by the national Department of Social Welfare and Development.*
