• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental yesterday released the checks for additional financial aid from the Presidential Assistance Fund (PAF) that was extended to the province for local government units (LGUs) heavily affected by recent typhoons.
Based on the province’s released allocation, Moises Padilla, La Carlota, and La Castellana each received P10 million. Binalbagan, Hinigaran, and Bago City each received P5 million, while Pontevedra and Isabela received P2.5 million each.
However, the province held on to the P10 million aid for La Carlota City due to the absence of required documents as Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni only signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 19. The provincial government gave assurance that the fund will be released upon compliance with the required legal documents.
The mayors of La Castellana and Binalbagan who were not present, sent a representative.
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo stated in an interview that the funds they received, including another P10 million that came directly from the Office of the President (OP), will be distributed to affected individuals in the town, regardless of the extent of damage.
According to the MOA, the funds can be used for recovery efforts, such as the rehabilitation of roads and bridges, food, or shelter. In Moises Padilla, the municipality has decided to disburse the aid in cash, allowing victims the privilege to utilize the assistance based on their needs.*
