Fifty set to receive burial assistance

CEBU - After being bombarded by complaints over the delay in releasing burial assistance from his Priority Development Fund, Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon will finally release the first batch of financial aid to 50 families tomorrow.

Samlimbangon will personally distribute the checks worth P3,000 each to the 50 families in his residence in Curva, Medellin.

Some of the claims have been filed almost a year ago and that some of them reportedly already spent more than what they expect to receive just to follow up their claims at the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Salimbangon said existing Commission on Audit rules have contributed to the delay of the release the claims had to go through DSWD for final checking.

“Og ako lang ang pabut-on, gusto nako nga itunol deretso sa tagtungod ang kwarta para magamit dayun nila,” Salimbangon said.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement Salimbangon had signed with DWSD, the family of the dead person has to present the death certificate, must be a Benhur Health Card holder, and must get a barangay certificate and endorsement from the municipal or city mayor.

Before, Salimbangon’s office would check the documents before the claimants are made to personally file the documents at the DSWD regional office in Cebu City.

This time, however, the procedure was made shorter so that the claimants can process their papers even at their respective towns. — Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)