ILOILO City – A total of 13,500 Ilonggos from this city and neighboring towns in the 2nd District of Iloilo Province received over P30 million in financial assistance during the two-day Bulig Ara Dayon: USWAG ILONGGO AYUDA PADAYON program from August 21 to 22 at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Uswag Ilonggo Party-list’s Cong. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. led the distribution, in collaboration with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., regional chairman of Uswag Ilonggo; Iloilo 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta; and Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
Key national figures, including Sen. Francis Tolentino, Cong. Camille Villar, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., and Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil, were also present.
A total of 12,000 recipients from Iloilo City received 2,000 each and 1,500 recipients from the province received 3,000 each through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
“Ang aton pagpanagtag, sige-sige ini para sa mga pumuluyo. Galibot kita para magpaabot sang bulig, indi lang sang ayuda kundi educational, medical assistance kag mga infrastructures para sa mga pumuluyo naton. Gusto ko pa tani mas damo pa gid galing wala kita sang venue nga maka-cater sang sobra kadamo. So amat-amat lang anay,” said Cong. Ang in an interview.
He added that Uswag Ilonggo wants to change the way financial aid are given, saying, “Gusto naton total package – may pamahaw, may raffle kita di motor, bugas, may entertainment kag pinaka-importante, half day tapos ang tagtaganay para sa linibo ka tawo para lipay tanan.”
It is also noted that this is the biggest and fastest payout which only lasted half a day, lessening inconvenience to both beneficiaries and partners.
“Tanan ini nangin posible sa suporta sang aton partners, especially ang DSWD nga full force gid,” said Cong. Ang.
For his part, Gov. Defensor said, “Mas maayo gid nga damo ang gapulihay para magpaabot sang bulig sa mga pumuluyo. Palangga naton ang syudad kag probinsya, amo na nga gusto ta gid, mas madamo mabuligan, mas manami.”
The event was also attended by other local officials, including Iloilo City’s Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and councilors, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Raisa Treñas and mayors of the 2nd District of Iloilo./PN
