• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The city government of Bago in Negros Occidental yesterday released P5 million in presidential assistance funds, extended by the provincial government, to 1,439 victims of Typhoon Tino.
The payout was simultaneously conducted at the Barangay Ma-ao Auditorium and the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center (MYTMCCC).
During the fund release at Barangay Ma-ao, 449 households from Barangays Don Jorge L. Araneta, Ilijan, Mailum, Binubuhan, Ma-ao, Bacong, Atipuluan, and Alianza, which had “severely affected” or “washed-out” houses following the typhoon, respectively received P3,500 and P5,000 in financial assistance.
Among these are 103 recipient households from Barangay Binubuhan; 82 from Barangay Bacong; 79 from Barangay Mailum; 46 from Barangay Don Jorge L. Araneta; 40 from Barangay Atipuluan; 38 from Barangay Ilijan; and 29 from Barangay Alianza.
Meanwhile, at MYTMCCC, a total of 990 beneficiaries whose homes were categorized as totally damaged or washed out received P3,500 each to support their ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
This group included residents from Barangays Abuanan, Dulao, Tabunan, Busay, Sampinit, Calumangan, Taloc, Bagroy, Malingin, Napoles, Lag-asan, Balingasag, Poblacion, Sagasa, Caridad, and Pacol.
The aid was sourced from the P5 million presidential fund, which was officially turned over to the City of Bago by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. The fund was received by Mayor Mayette Javellana-Yao on January 20.
The mayor clarified that this assistance is in addition to the emergency cash transfer that will be distributed by the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Javellana-Yao also called for patience among the victims, assuring them that the local government is actively working to hasten the release of aid for all affected residents—whether their houses are partially or totally damaged.*
