By CESAR JOLITO III
The long-delayed release of the P50 million presidential assistance for Negros Occidental in the aftermath of Typhoon “Tino” is now close to completion, following the signing of all required documents for the deed of donation, provincial officials said.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II confirmed that the necessary signatories for the donation have already been completed and that the provincial government is now awaiting the return of the signed documents from the Office of the President.
He added that an authorized representative has been sent to follow-up on the paperwork to hasten the release of the funds.
The disbursement of the aid had earlier been put on hold due to pending signatures, including that of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who stepped down from his post on November 17.
The issue resulted in the presidential assistance remaining on standby for several weeks.
With the documentation now nearing completion, Diaz said the entire P50 million aid will be downloaded to local government units (LGUs), prioritizing areas in the Fourth and Fifth Districts, which suffered the most damage during the typhoon.
The provincial government has opted to release the assistance in cash rather than in-kind aid.
Diaz said the final amount to be distributed to individual beneficiaries will be determined by the respective LGUs, based on their own assessments.
To ensure fair and needs-based distribution, the province will also conduct its own evaluation of damage.
LGUs that incurred heavier losses will receive a larger portion of the funds, Diaz said.
The rollout of the presidential aid is expected to begin early next year and will be used primarily to help typhoon victims rebuild and rehabilitate damaged homes.
Meanwhile, Diaz said the deeds of donation for La Castellana, La Carlota City and Moises Padilla — each set to receive P10 million — as well as P5 million each for Hinigaran, Binalbagan and Isabela, are likewise expected to complete the remaining documentation before the end of the year./CJ, WDJ