By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson supports the decision made by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo to distribute Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) educational aid by the local government units (LGUs) instead.

This comes after DSWD received a ton of backlash over the messy and disorganized distribution of assistance for students in various parts of the country.

Last Saturday, August 20, in Bacolod City, thousands of students hoping to receive assistance flocked to the Ayala Malls Capitol Central which nearly led to a stampede.

According to Lacson, the DSWD failed to coordinate even with the provincial government over its distribution.

The governor pointed out that the distribution had been difficult for thousands of Negrenses in the province who went to Bacolod City, hoping to get the AICS.

Lacson said it would be better if the AICS would be distributed either by LGUs or per district to make it easier for those trying to avail the assistance.

Meanwhile, following the incident which happened over the weekend, Tulfo issued an apology on the chaotic distribution of the AICS.

Tulfo, then, announced that the AICS distribution will now be led by LGUs beginning next Saturday, August 27, but still under DSWD’s supervision.

The incident last Saturday, August 20, even prompted harsh criticism from Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, who threatened to declare the DSWD regional director in Western Visayas as “persona non grata.”/DGB, WDJ