BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez expressed his dissatisfaction with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) payout held at Bacolod City College’s Activity Center on August 16.
Over 3,000 city residents eligible for financial aid faced a disorganized process, causing significant distress.
Benitez, who visited the payout venue to address the beneficiaries, was dismayed to find that none had received their assistance even after waiting for over five hours since early morning.
“I will no longer accept such a payout system. It is burdensome for the recipients to be brought to a place and made to wait in the heat,” he said.
The mayor questioned the effectiveness and humanity of the system, which has been operational for years but remains unchanged.
“This is not an appropriate display of governance or any program they want to show to other people. Think about the people first,” Benitez remarked in a media interview.
He also revealed plans to explore a faster, more efficient distribution method that wouldn’t inconvenience the beneficiaries, suggesting that attending a physical payout center might no longer be necessary.
Following the event, Benitez contacted DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian to discuss the payout system, but did not receive an immediate response, prompting him to consider further actions.
Special Assistant to the Mayor, Mae Cuaycong, noted that cash aid amounts varied among recipients, ranging from P1,000 to P10,000, depending on their specific needs such as burial, medical, or food assistance./PN
