BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 1,035 students in five local government units composing the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, recently received educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, as facilitated by Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.
Jinny Caridad, a second year high school student from Brgy. San Fernando, Talisay City, thanked Rep. Benitez during the turnover rites held on September 6 at the Brgy. Zone 2 covered court in Talisay City.
A statement from the congressional office of Benitez said that 1,896 recipients of medical and burial aid, availed of financial assistance from August 31 to Sept. 6, which was distributed in the cities of Victorias, Silay, Talisay and the municipality of EB Magalona.
This brings to a total of 3,843 residents reached by the Congressional District Office since Aug. 22, availing of one of the DSWD protective services for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.
Thru the efforts of Rep. Benitez, a total of P10 million financial assistance allocated for the Third District will be distributed to qualified residents.
For medical, funeral, food, transportation and other support services, the assistance ranges from P5,000 to P10,000, as assessment is based on individual circumstances. Education assistance ranges from P4,000 to P7,500 per qualified student.
Working hand in hand for the implementation of this resource augmentation support for local governments are the Congressional District staff, representatives of the DSWD regional office, and LGU social welfare personnel.
Third District programs and services focal persons based in the satellite offices are Allana Montepio (0918-4552696) for Victorias, Sonia Macapagal (0919-64444578) for EB Magalona, Jicky Casiple (0918-5022736) for Silay, Bonnie Rose Dajay (0928-8334076) for Talisay, and Benjie Villa (0968-7439237) for Murcia.*
