By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) has dispensed over P500,000 in financial aid during the inauguration of the city’s “Bayad Agad” program last Monday.
A total of 77 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) accessed the funds on the program’s first day.
Among these, 47 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were granted aid ranging from P5,000 to P15,000, while another four received burial support between P2,000 to P5,000.
For educational support, two recipients were awarded P4,000 each, and 24 individuals were provided with medical aid varying from P4,000 to P5,000.
DSSD’s acting chief, Alma Gustilo, mentioned that the initial recipients included fire victims from Barangay 18, and the office also attended to at least 20 walk-in clients.
Gustilo confirmed that residents in need of medical, burial, calamity, or disaster support could immediately claim the cash aid upon meeting the set requirements.
Document processing and financial assistance distribution are being managed at the Annex Building of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
Gustilo noted that the city government has set aside an initial P10 million for the “Bayad Agad” initiative, crafted to streamline the AICS distribution process.
Meanwhile, Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, said that they will come up with a very simple check and balance system to prevent others from taking advantage of the said program.
Benitez said that if the said program becomes successful here, he would also encourage other local government units (LGUs) to follow the same.
“This is one of the good practices that we are promoting,” he added.
