GOV'T ASSISTANCE. Negros Oriental Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office chief Hilton Edrial is seeking a supplemental budget of PHP30 million for crisis intervention for needy constituents. The province's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) has already been depleted as of the first half of the year, he said on Wednesday (June 19, 2024). (Photo courtesy of Negros Oriental Provincial Government Facebook)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is requesting the Negros Oriental government for an additional PHP30 million allocation to respond to the needs of individuals in crisis situations.
“We need additional funds to cover for the remaining half of the year as the budget for the province’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) for 2024 is already depleted,” PSWDO chief Hilton Edrial said Wednesday.
The AICS is a stop-gap measure of the government to assist individuals in times of crisis, such as the sudden death of a family member, immediate medical and other social services, disasters and calamities, and others.
Edrial said the PHP20 million allocation for 2024 ran out fast as many clients were also affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
The province has so far disbursed PHP19.9 million to 1,877 AICS clients.
Edrial said they have slashed the number of clients served daily from 250 to between 70 to 100 considering the limited funds.
Every individual served receives a different amount, depending on his or her situation and needs, he added. (PNA)
