By CESAR JOLITO III
La Castellana Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla “Mhai” Nicor-Mangilimutan clarified that the P10 million financial assistance extended by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to the municipality comes with specific guidelines on how the funds must be used, amid public confusion over its allocation.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said the amount — turned over during Marcos’ visit on November 15 — is not intended for direct cash distribution to residents whose homes were damaged by Typhoon “Tino.”
She emphasized that there is no truth to claims that the P10 million will be divided as P10,000 for totally damaged houses and P5,000 for partially damaged ones.
Instead, she explained that cash assistance for affected households will come from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – national office, which will download the necessary funds to the DSWD – Negros Island Region (NIR) for distribution.
“For those asking when they will receive the P5,000 or P10,000 assistance, only DSWD can answer that because the money will come from them — not the municipality,” she stressed.
The vice mayor also noted that the president’s previous distribution of aid was limited solely to evacuees housed at the La Castellana South Elementary School during his visit.
“Outside those evacuees, no other individuals were given assistance that day,” she added.
Strict allocation rules for the P10 million
Nicor-Mangilimutan detailed that the president’s office provided a formal letter outlining the specific uses of the P10 million, which include:
* Food for evacuees
* Medicines and essential supplies such as mats, blankets and other necessities
* Construction materials for damaged evacuation centers
* Fuel for vehicles used during disaster response and clearing operations
* Repair of rescue vehicles damaged during flood rescue missions
* Other disaster-related operational needs
Because of these restrictions, she stressed that the mayor cannot freely reallocate the funds, as some residents have assumed.
Administrative steps delay release of funds
Before the P10 million can be used, the municipality must first secure a deed of donation and a Sangguniang Bayan resolution accepting the funds.
The amount, already deposited by the acting municipal treasurer into the locality’s account, must also be incorporated into the Annual Investment Program since it was not part of the town’s original 2025 budget.
This requires deliberation and approval during a municipal council meeting with the participation of the mayor, 13 barangay captains, 10 civil society organizations, and the local finance committee.
Nicor-Mangilimutan urged residents to understand the legal process and reiterated that the municipality is obligated to follow national guidelines on disaster funds.
“The funds have a clear purpose. We must use them as instructed by the president’s office,” she said.
The P10 million is for disaster operations and evacuee needs, not for household cash assistance.
Financial aid for damaged homes will come from DSWD, following their own timeline and process./CJ, WDJ