BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Department of Social Welfare and Development will consider Bacolod City for assessment and validation to determine its qualification to receive emergency subsidy under the Bayanihan Act 2 for people affected by the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
This was confirmed by Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, who requested Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista to prioritize Bacolod City in the distribution of subsidies from the P6 billion budget of the DSWD under the Bayanihan Act 2.
In his letter to Gasataya, Bautista said they recognize the quarantine classification of Bacolod and the needs of its people will be considered for assessment and validation to determine their qualification to receive the emergency subsidy.
He said the DSWD Field Office VI reported that a total of P588,858,00 was distributed to 98,143 qualified beneficiaries in Bacolod for the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and about P498,078,00 is currently being distributed to 83,013 qualified beneficiaries.
Gasataya thanked Bautista for the aid provided by the agency to the people of Bacolod.
Based on the Bayanihan Act 2 that was approved by the President on Sept. 11, about P6 billion was allocated to the DSWD for the implementation of its programs in order to help those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Bacolod Social Services and Development head Pacita Tero said that yesterday they have started interviewing possible beneficiaries to determine the amount they should be receiving under the emergency subsidy.
Tero said there is no specific amount to be given to the qualified beneficiaries. It will depend on the result of their assessment.*