BACOLOD City – The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) of the city government is urging applicants for a financial aid program to avoid coming at night to secure a priority number.
Only during office hours should applicants queue at the Annex Building of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) to avail themselves of financial assistance.
Under the city’s “Bayad Agad” program, qualified beneficiaries receive immediate aid once their documents are approved.
The “Bayad Agad” program provides financial aid to residents in crisis, covering burial, medical, and calamity expenses, though educational assistance is excluded.
DSSD officer-in-charge Alma Gustilo reported that there have been instances of applicants arriving as early as 7 p.m. or in groups. She discouraged this practice, explaining that the local government is working on improving their system and adding manpower to prevent the need for such very early arrivals.
Gustilo mentioned that the DSSD aims to accommodate only 160 applicants per day, although the number sometimes reaches nearly 200. They accept documents from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as they need time to complete the liquidation process before the office closes at 5 p.m.
To enhance the system, Gustilo revealed plans to install a monitor system to keep track of the numbers being served. She reminded applicants that if they are not accommodated on a given day, they can return the next day.
She also noted that the P10-million initial fund released last month for the program will be replenished once it is nearly exhausted./PN
