At least 800 residents considered poorest of the poor in San Carlos City benefited from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on September 9.
The beneficiaries were residents of the 18 barangays of the city who received P3,000 each amounting to a total of P2.4 million.
Edena Dagondon, City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) officer-in-charge, said that the beneficiaries were identified by their respective barangay and were further assessed by the DSWD Regional Office with the assistance of the CSWDO.
DSWD Region 6 Social Welfare Officer Franz Lanado, who was present during the cash aid distribution said that the assistance is a form of support to families or individuals during crisis situation, especially with the high cost of living nowadays and with the start of the face-to-face classes.
The distribution held at the Brgy. IV gymnasium was assisted by the local Philippine National Police, Barangay 4 personnel and CSWDO staff.
Meanwhile, at least three residents also received financial assistance from the DSWD Region VI under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa program on Sept. 8.
City Mayor Renato Gustilo, social welfare officers Micah Villanueva and Kyle Paghasian, Raymond Servantes and Project Development Officer of DSWD Region 6 handed over the checks amounting to P242,000 to the beneficiaries as livelihood settlement grant.
Beneficiaries Mylin Catipay of Sto. Niño Village, Brgy. Buluangan; Rico Marabe of Sitio San Jose, Brgy. Guadalupe; and Elezabeth Quitalag of Sitio Hunob, Brgy. Buluangan received P50,000 each for their proposed livelihood.
In addition, Catipay and Marabe received P32,000 each, while Quitalag received P28,000 to be used as food allowance.
Villanueva said the Balik Probinsya Program is an initiative of the national government to address the congested urban areas by encouraging people, especially informal settlers to return to their home provinces and assist them by providing support and incentives on transportation, family, livelihood, housing, subsistence and education, among others.
Villanueva said these beneficiaries previously worked in Metro Manila but returned home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount they received was based on their needs according to the assessments made by the DSWD.
Dagondon was also present during the turned over of the financial aid.*
