PAYOUT. Personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (Western Visayas) distribute cash aid to residents of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental affected by the armed conflict in October during the payout in Barangay Carabalan on Nov. 4, 2022. A total of PHP10.01 million were released to more than 3,000 displaced families under the Armed Conflict Financial Assistance program. (Photo courtesy of Himamaylan City Social Welfare and Development Office)
BACOLOD CITY – Residents affected by armed conflict and Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in Negros Occidental in October have received PHP23 million worth of assistance, data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 (Western Visayas) on Tuesday showed.
“The provision of assistance is still ongoing,” said May Rago-Castillo, DSWD-6 information officer, referring to the distribution of family food packs to those affected by Paeng.
In Negros Occidental, a total of 9,894 family food packs amounting to PHP5.72 million have been allotted along with PHP829,575 worth of non-food items, totaling PHP6.55 million.
Total assistance from the city government and non-government organizations amounted to PHP667,133.
Meanwhile, the series of skirmishes between the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army rebels and troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion in Himamaylan City, which started on October 6, affected 5,444 families in four villages.
These included those residing in Barangay Carabalan, 3,313 families; Barangay Cabadiangan, 1,985 families; and Barangay 3-Poblacion, 28 families.
Also affected were 118 families in Barangay Bi-ao in the adjacent Binalbagan town.
Data showed the DSWD-6 has distributed a total of PHP11.81 million worth of assistance, of which PHP10.01 million in cash aid were distributed to more than 3,000 displaced families under the Armed Conflict Financial Assistance program.
Other assistance included family food packs worth PHP1.25 million; family kits, PHP264,600; hygiene kits, PHP154,717; and sleeping kits, PHP133,350.
The city government also provided assistance amounting to PHP4.25 million.
On October 16, evacuees from Sitios Palayan and Guia in Barangay Cabadiangan, as well as those from other sub-communities in Barangay Carabalan were the first to return home.
When the main encounter sites in Barangay Carabalan were cleared by the military, residents of Sitios Medel, Campaya, and Sig-ang were also allowed to go home on October 19. (PNA)
