17,000 Negrenses get P39M from DSWD

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Close to 17,000 Negrenses have availed of cash assistance amounting to P39 million from the DSWD during the turnover ceremony of social pension and cash for training at the Provincial Capitol recently.

DSWD-6 regional director Minda Brigoli said a total of 12,746 farmers and fisherfolk from 19 LGUs have received more than P32.6 million from the cash for training/work program of the department.

The checks were turned over to city and municipal treasurers of the beneficiary LGUs by Brigoli with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and PB Members Raul Rivera (chair of committee on the elderly) and Helen Zafra (chair of the committee on social services).

The amount was part of the P270-million fund earmarked as subsidies for families of poor farmers and fishermen in Western Visayas, in the form of cash, rice subsidy, and livelihood training, during the lean months, she said.

The DSWD also gave a total of P1,677,000 to senior citizens, aged 77 years old and above, representing a monthly stipend of P500 each, in addition to an arlier released social pension funds totaling over P2.11 million, based on the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.

DSWD-6 further gave supplementary feeding checks to Bacolod City (P1.67 million); Sipalay City (P666,000); Sagay City (P1.17 million); and San Carlos City (P1.09 million), Brigoli said.