Negros Occidental temporarily halts financial aid for barangays
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday said that the financial assistance program for barangays in the province will be temporarily put on hold because of the current situation in the Middle East.
Lacson made the announcement during the annual distribution of financial aid to several barangays amounting to P56.4 million on Wednesday, March 11.
Among the projects funded were road concreting, installation of solar streetlights, acquisition of office equipment, appliances, and furniture, improvement of multi-purpose buildings, construction of communal toilets, renovation of barangay halls, acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles, and construction of drainage canals.
Lacson said that the assistance for the transport sector is not part of their budget but they see it as a necessity to help Negrenses because of the events in the Middle East.
"We have to make sure we have enough funds to run the provincial government before we can continue the financial aid to the barangays," said Lacson who expressed concern over the ongoing tension in the Middle East.
He said they will discuss their share in the financial assistance for public transport drivers with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the local government units (LGUs).
"We still have to sit down and discuss the matter. The provincial government will try to extend as much help as we can," he added. "We would like to know how much aid will be given by the LTFRB, and the LGUs' contribution, so we can decide on the provincial level how much we can share," he said.
He is hoping that the situation does not escalate further. "We have to make sure how much we have left, and be more prudent in the use of our funds," Lacson said.