Del Mar gives P2 million cash aid to fire victims

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar yesterday distributed P2 million worth of financial assistance to 1,500 families affected of the recent fire in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

Del Mar sourced the amount from the Department of Social Welfare and Development because he no longer has Priority Development Assistance Fund. The lawmakers’ pork barrel was already abolished after it was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

“Although dili ni pareho kadako sa ma-distribute from our PDAF, we make sure we could give to everybody and divide it accordingly,” he said.

Edna Regudo, social welfare officer for crisis intervention of DSWD-7, said that the funds distributed to the fire victims were allocated under the national budget.

Those who were listed and validated by the barangay officials as victims received the financial assistance. Regudo assured that those who were not yet listed may still avail of their financial support in the coming days.

“Daghan pa ang wa malista. If di mahatagan, atong ipaapas,” she said.

Beneficiaries of the financial assistance will be categorized into two. Those fire victims whose houses were totally burned and those who are homeowners shall receive P1,000.

Those who are considered to be lodgers, renters and sharers or those whose houses were partially damaged shall get P500.

Del Mar said the financial assistance they have extended yesterday afternoon was just an additional support to the fire victims while waiting for relief assistance that are still on the way.

He said that the beneficiaries shall decide where to spend the money they have received.

“Sila’y magbuot unsa ilang priority needs. Money is the most practical assistance we could give to them as soon as possible,” he said.

He also encouraged other government agencies and private organizations to reach out to fire victims. —/FPL (FREEMAN)