17,000 get financial assistance

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 distributed ?5,000 each to at least 17,000 individuals in Central Visayas during the  Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat  event on September 13, 2024, in celebration of President Ferdinand  Bongbong  Marcos, Jr.'s 67th birthday.

DSWD-7 distributed the cash aid at eighteen payout sites through the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP), which targets low-income or minimum-wage earners.

In Cebu, barangays in Banilad, Sawang Calero, and Pahina Central served as payout sites for Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the towns of Minglanilla, Argao, Pinamungajan, San Remigio, Liloan, Consolacion, and Ronda. Simultaneous payouts also occurred in Tagbilaran City, Trinidad, and Candijay in Bohol; Guihulngan City, Dumaguete City, and Santa Catalina in Negros Oriental; and Siquijor.

Beneficiaries were identified by LGUs and assessed by DSWD during the caravan.

In Mandaue City, a total of ?10 million was disbursed to 2,000 beneficiaries, including salesladies, salesmen, cashiers, baggers, janitors, security guards, and low-income barangay workers.

Mandaue City Lone District Representative Emmarie  Lolypop  Ouano-Dizon led the ceremonial distribution of the financial assistance, along with DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Tonyson Luther Lee and Board Member Jonkie Ouano.

In an interview, Ouano-Dizon mentioned that only 1,000 beneficiaries were initially supposed to receive the financial assistance. However, through the initiative of her brother, Jonkie, who sought assistance from Tingog Partylist Representative Yedda Romualdez, an additional 1,000 beneficiaries were included in the first batch.

Ouano-Dizon also announced that salesladies, salesmen, cashiers, baggers, janitors, security guards who apply online but with incomplete requirements can now go to her district office at Right Wing, Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. on September 18 to 20, 2024, for verification.

Atong nabati ang inyong kakugi sa trabaho ug atong gihatagan og bili ang inyong pagpaninguha nga makompleto ang inyong requirements, maong aduna kita'y onsite verification para kaninyo,  said Ouano-Dizon.

Pero akoa lang ning klarohon ha nga P3,000 each ra gyud ang ilang madawat kay mao ra man gyud ni ang financial assistance under AKAP. Kaning P5,000 nga nadawat sa first batch karon kay special man ni kay birthday man ron ni President,  Ouano-Dizon said.

In Consolacion town, Cebu Sixth District Representative Daphne Lagon, Ako Bisaya Representative Sonny Lagon, and Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado led the ceremonial distribution of financial assistance to 1,600 persons with disabilities, each receiving ?5,000.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Lone District Representative Cindi King-Chan and Mayor Junard Chan led the ceremonial payout to 1,000 beneficiaries, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and parent leaders, each receiving ?5,000. Mayor Chan expressed his admiration for the numerous benefits the Oponganons are receiving.

Kaning special event karon serves as another testament of the President s sincerity, commitment and dedication making the government truly work for the people, iyang gipaduol ang gobyerno diri kanato,  King-Chan told the audience.

Mayor Chan also expressed his admiration for the numerous benefits the Oponganons are receiving.

Kining mga kaayuhan, nga atong natagamtam ning administrasyon nato, karon pa ta nakasuway og ingon ani. Tagsa ra ta makatilaw kaniadto, apan karon way puas ang pagtabang sa administrasyong Marcos,  the mayor said.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero stated that the payout is one way to reach more people.

We are thankful to the President for organizing these nationwide caravans. At DSWD, we are always here to support the initiatives of our partners and directives of the President for the welfare of the Filipino people,  she said.

Lucero added that the purpose of the cash aid is to help families with their basic needs and support their children s education, especially given the challenges of rising inflation.

AKAP, officially launched on May 18, 2024, is a social protection program of DSWD that provides cash aid to individuals and families belonging to minimum-wage earners who may have regular income but not enough for their daily subsistence.

Initiated by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and approved by President Ferdinand  Bongbong  Marcos, Jr., AKAP is the government's effort to address inflation and protect the purchasing power of Filipino families to meet their needs despite economic challenges.

DSWD- released a total of ?86.1 million during the  Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat  in Central Visayas

The DSWD distributed the cash assistance at eighteen payout locations, where beneficiaries were identified by their respective local government units (LGUs) and assessed by social workers during the caravan.

In particular, a total of 2,515 beneficiaries in the province of Bohol received ?12,575,000 in assistance.

Meanwhile, Cebu had the highest number of beneficiaries, with 11,004 individuals receiving ?55,020,000.

In Negros Oriental, 2,904 beneficiaries were assisted with a total of ?14,520,000, while 806 individuals from Siquijor received a total of ?4,030,000.

In a press statement, Lucero said that the purpose of the cash aid is to help families with their basic needs and support their children s education, especially given the challenges of rising inflation.

Lucero also assured that they did not tolerate  fixers  or those who might take advantage of this government assistance.(CEBU NEWS)