ROXAS CITY—Checks worth Php1 million each were given out to the mayors of the 16 municipalities and this city at the Governor’s Mansion in Bgy. Banica here April 17. Sapian Mayor Arthur John Biñas said that the amount cannot suffice due to the number of people needing assistance. He said he will give the money to his constituents who are not covered in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
According to Biñas, of the 5,800 beneficiaries he submitted to DSWD, only 4,200 were approved.
“May 1,600 ka pumuluyo nga wala nadala sa listahan kag mga imol ini sila. Gani, ang 1 million dugangan ko na lang sang pundo halin sa LGU nga Php600,000 agud mahatagan ang tanan. Pero lantawon ko ang MOA kon puede,” Biñas said.
The mayors thanked for the assistance from the provincial government but also said that the funds are insufficient for their constituents and wished for more funds.
Governor Esteban Evan Contreras said that the Php1,000,000 is insufficient but also said that the provincial government will augment the assistance for the municipalities.
Aside from the cash assistance, food packs were also given out. Funds allocated for Bayanihan grants to the city and the municipalities were, as follows: Roxas City, Php54,099,320; Cuartero, Php8,935,893; Dao, Php9,441,271; Dumalag, Php9,291,850; Dumarao, Php13,751,508; Ivisan, Php8,383,436; Jamindan, Php15,055,290; Maayon, Php11,175,540; Mambusao, Php11,280,907; Panay, Php11,958,501; Panitan, Php10,656,860; Pilar, Php11,241,437; Pontevedra, Php12,230,108; President Roxas, Php8,842,860; Sapian, Php8,671,626; Sigma, Php8,279,563; and Tapaz, Php18,919,143.
Contreras said he is considering the request of the mayors but he is still checking on the funds in the supplemental budget because he is prioritizing the needs of the doctors.
“Indi naton mapulong basi may maabot pa nga crisis wala man naton napangayo,” Contreras said. (Edalyn Acta and Ralph John Mijares)
