BACOLOD City – The disbursement of financial aid to hog raisers in Negros Occidental is experiencing delays due to issues with paperwork compliance.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the funds intended for those affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) and hog cholera have been available and ready for distribution for some time.
The responsibility for complying with the documentary requirements, as set by the Commission on Audit and the Provincial Accounting Office, lies with the local governments and the beneficiaries themselves, he stressed.
The local governments are tasked with selecting beneficiaries and submitting their list to the provincial government.
Despite these challenges, Diaz remains hopeful that the cash assistance will be released this month.
The municipality of Ilog has been identified as the first to fulfill all the necessary requirements.
Furthermore, Diaz said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is in the process of finalizing documents for all beneficiaries. This step is crucial to ensure a smooth liquidation process for the cash advances.
The provincial government has set aside a budget of P2.5 million for this cash aid, which is expected to benefit over 2,000 hog raisers throughout the province./PN