By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Deputy Speaker and Antique lone district Rep. Loren Legarda assured her fellow kasimanwa on Saturday, April 25 that the government's social amelioration programs are being implemented continuously in her province.
Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda
(Loren Legarda official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
She said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended P 38 million worth of Assistance to Crisis in Individual Situation (AICS), while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allotted P41.4 million for the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in Antique.
The AICS and TUPAD programs "are still ongoing to cater to the needs of the Antiqueños during the COVID-19 crisis," Legarda said in a statement.
From March 13 to April 16, P6.345 worth of AICS assistance was distributed to 2,115 beneficiaries who have COVID-19 related concerns in different municipalities in the province, she reported.
She disclosed that for the second batch of AICS distribution, 200 slots were given to Libertad and were distributed last April 20; 200 slots were also given to Laua-an and were distributed last April 22; and 400 slots were given to Caluya which will be distributed on April 28.
Each LGU were given 200 slots, except for Pandan and Caluya with 400 slots for AICS, she added.
"A total of P 23,445,000 AICS for the 1st and 2nd batch of AICS will be distributed for those in need and for those who are not covered by the SAP," the House leader said.
Legarda said the islands of Mararison, Batbatan, and Maningning in Culasi will be given 200 slots each.
She explained that under the AICS, financial assistance can be given to those who have COVID-related concerns and those who have lost their income due to the enhanced community quarantine. The relief package includes medical, burial and transportation assistance.
Legarda said DOLE has extended P41.4 million TUPAD assistance in Antique to benefit a total of 9,892 beneficiaries.
Covered by the program are families of frontliners, families of PUM/PUI, 700 sacadas who did not receive assistance through the SAP, requests from various groups received by the District Office, and 6,000 displaced workers from MSMEs in Antique that will not be covered by DOLE Covid-19 Adjustment Measurement Program or DOLE CAMP, she said.
Legarda said the DSWD through its AICS program will provide assistance to her constituens who will go back to Antique and who were not able to receive assistance under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
“Upon crossing our borders, our sacadas will still have to follow health safety protocols and their respective LGUs will transport them to the isolation area, have their temperature taken and will conduct rapid testing for them. We will not let our sacadas go home empty-handed,” she said.
The former senator also assured her fellow kasimanwa the continued implementation of Pagkaon Para sa Tanan project she initiated to support local farmers and provide vegetables to the poor families in Antique.
“We will provide all the assistance needed by my kasimanwa amid this crisis. I encourage everyone to help each other emotionally and psychologically. We will win this battle if we help one another,” Legarda said.