By Mariela Angella Oladive
A total of 13,500 residents from Iloilo City and the province received financial assistance during a two-day payout event held on August 21-22 at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
The distribution was facilitated by Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Congressman James “Jojo” Ang Jr., Iloilo 2nd District Cong. Mike Gorriceta, and Iloilo 3rd District Cong. Lorenz Defensor.
The recipients received aid through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), amounting to P2,000 and P3,000, respectively.
The AICS program provides financial support for medical, burial, transportation, education, and other urgent needs, while the AKAP program targets individuals classified as “near poor,” aiming to prevent them from falling below the poverty line.
Of the 13,500 beneficiaries, 12,000 were from Iloilo City, while 1,500 were from the surrounding province.
“This payout is part of our usual efforts, but what makes today different is the venue we’ve chosen. We needed a larger space than usual, so we opted for the sports complex, which can accommodate 7,000 to 8,000 people,” Ang said in an interview.
He added that the program is ongoing and will continue beyond the elections.
“We’re committed to helping the Ilonggos as much as we can. We focused on areas close to the city this time to avoid traveling to each municipality. There is no discrimination here; we prioritize those who need it the most. As long as we have the funds, we will give it back to the people. This is the people’s money, and it should be returned to them,” he stated.
On the first day of the event, 7,500 beneficiaries received their aid. Congresswoman Camille Villar, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., and PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil were present, along with local officials, including Uswag Regional Chairman Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, city councilors, and other dignitaries.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the aid, noting how the assistance would ease their daily struggles.
Bonavie Barios, a 42-year-old resident of Iloilo City, shared that the aid would help her provide an allowance for her niece and serve as additional capital for her small business.
Ricky Gregorio, a 47-year-old hardware store worker from Legaspi in Iloilo City, highlighted the importance of the assistance, saying, “This money is a big help to buy rice for my family.”
Karen, a 33-year-old mother from Santa Barbara, also expressed her appreciation. “I will use this to buy milk for my child. We just got out of the hospital yesterday, so this is a great help,” she remarked.
