ASSISTANCE FOR ILONGGOS. Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda facilitated the provision of over PHP100 million to her constituents amid the health pandemic. She said on Friday (Dec. 18, 2020) she is eyeing that more government programs will be implemented next year. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY – Over PHP 100 million worth of assistance was granted to various sectors in this city as they struggle financially amid this global health pandemic through the help of the office of Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda.
“Since the lockdown, our social services reached almost PHP40 million,” Baronda said in an interview on Friday.
The lady solon attributed the provision of support to the House leadership, which she said has been very generous and supportive to the needs of her constituents.
“That’s probably because we are trying our best and our presence is also felt in Congress,” she added.
The funds were coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and provided to the target recipients through the assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS).
Of the over PHP40 million fund under the AICS, PHP36.7 million has been released.
These included PHP26.6 million for burial, hospitalization and medicine assistance; PHP1.6 million for fire victims; and PHP8.41 million for various sectors affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Further, she was able to secure over PHP60 million from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the implementation of the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
We are thankful to Secretary (Silvestre) Bello because last minute he gave more than PHP30 million to Iloilo City. One half of that we downloaded to Iloilo (city government) to collaborate with our city government so we can help more barangays. The rest are downloaded directly to barangays through our local district office,” she said.
DOLE also provided PHP15 million funds for the government internship program (GIP) that allows new graduates to experience working in government.
She hoped that more of these programs will be implemented next year. (PNA)
