CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – In order to promote the general welfare of the Kapampangans, the provincial government under the Administration of Gov. Lilia Pineda grants array of assistance to the needy and in crisis situation.
Elizabeth Baybayan, provincial social welfare and development officer (PSWDO) cited the Ordinance No. 492 series 2011 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that authorized the provincial governor to grant assistance to underprivileged families and individuals.
“Any assistance coming from the capitol has legal basis. The SP ordinance no. 492 supported the agenda of the Pineda administration to help our indigents cabalen in different form of assistance based on the need of the beneficiaries,” she said
The ordinance allowed different form of assistance to be granted by the provincial government these are; financial assistance that covers transportation, burial, hospitalization and medical assistance; food assistance or relief goods; cash assistance for Aeta students; food for work or cash for work that is given to compensate services rendered; shelter assistance intended for misplaced families who are rendered homeless due to disasters; assistance to rebel-returnees; and counseling or psychological support to individual or families in crisis or stressful situation.
For the medical assistance the capitol helps needy individuals or families to procure their medicines and pay diagnostic and laboratory procedures such as dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other laboratory examinations.
Baybayan said beneficiaries of the assistance program are required to pass requirement in order to avail the program and on some instances will be verified by their office.
Needy Kapampangans as the target beneficiaries, she said were classified as individuals or families who are underprivileged or below poverty line; abandoned, abused, neglected and exploited; families categorized as transient, stranded or displaced; deportees and repatriates and individuals in crisis situation that need intervention from the government and rebel returnees.
The programs of the provincial government targeting the general welfare of the marginalized sector such as the assistance program paved the way the first time for the province’s chief executive to be awarded Best Governor in Social Service and Best PSWDO for Baybayan.
BY JENNA LUMBANG
