Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Tuesday he has expedited the release of P40 million in government aid for residents affected by the recent eruption of Mount Kanlaon in the Negros Island Region.
Romualdez said the fund will be coursed through two critical government social amelioration programs. His office also disbursed additional P4-million from the Speaker’s Disaster Assistance Fund to purchase family food packs.
The Speaker said he has coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to allocate P20 million each from their respective flagship social programs to aid the Kanlaon victims.
The DSWD will be releasing funds from its Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) while the DOLE will tap its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
“These funds will provide much-needed support to affected residents in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, ensuring they have the resources to cope with the disruptions caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano,” Romualdez stated.
Residents in the first district of Negros Oriental and the fourth district of Negros Occidental will each receive P10 million from AKAP and P10 million from TUPAD, according to the Speaker. This financial support aims to assist those whose livelihoods have been impacted by the volcanic activity.
AKAP supports “near poor” individuals, such as minimum wage earners, to prevent them from falling below the poverty line. TUPAD is a community-based program that offers immediate relief to displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers facing economic hardship.
“President Marcos’ directive was clear: we must act swiftly and decisively to provide relief to those affected by this natural disaster,” Romualdez said.
