Negros Oriental Social Welfare Office Seeks PHP30 Million Fund Boost

NEGROS ORIENTAL — The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in Negros Oriental is requesting an additional PHP30 million to continue supporting residents facing crisis situations for the rest of the year. The current budget dedicated to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program has been depleted due to higher-than-expected demand.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initial PHP20 million allocated for 2024 was quickly exhausted, largely due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon which affected a significant number of local residents. To date, the office has disbursed PHP19.9 million to 1,877 individuals under the AICS program, which aids residents during emergencies such as family deaths, immediate medical needs, and natural disasters.

With the current financial constraints, the PSWDO has had to reduce the daily number of clients it can serve from 250 to between 70 and 100. The amount of assistance provided varies based on each individual’s specific circumstances and needs.