Sta. Lucia barangay chair Hector Forbes and Mayor Aida Macalinao (right) observe the payout with the beneficiaries waiting for their turn. Photos by Ernie Esconde
SAMAL, Bataan — Payouts of the “ayuda” or financial assistance extended by the national government to areas placed under the enhanced community quarantine went on in Bataan Wednesday.
The cash distribution continued smoothly and orderly at the barangay hall of Sta. Lucia here where beneficiaries sat in monobloc chairs while waiting for their turn. Each sitio was assigned its respective time to avail of the ayuda to avoid overcrowding.
Police officers and barangay tanod and other officials constantly reminded the beneficiaries to wear face mask and face shield and maintain social distancing.
Sta. Lucia barangay chair Hector Forbes said there were 2,166 beneficiaries in the village who were to receive from P1,000 to P4,000 each depending on the status and number of family members.
He said the number of beneficiaries represented 70 percent of the families in the village: “Bale 70 percent lamang ng population ng barangay ang binigyan ng allotment ng gobyerno at ito lamang ang pinagkakasya namin.”
He appealed for understanding from those who were not included in the lists of recipients.
“Nananawagan ako na may kalakip na pakiusap na kung maaari ay lawakan ang pang-unawa at lakihan ang pagpapasensya sapagka’t kung ikukumpara sa populasyon ng Barangay Sta. Lucia ay totoong kulang ang ibinahagi sa atin. Kaya nakikiusap ako na unawain natin kung ano ang naging problema sa pamamahagi ng ayuda mula sa ating gobyerno,” Forbes said.
Mayor Aida Macalinao expressed satisfaction over the orderly and speedy payout in Sta. Lucia and other 14 barangays in Samal.
“On-going ang payout at nakaka-pitong barangay na kami. Nakita ko na successful dahil talagang naibigay nila at ang napakaganda nito ay ang coordination ng kapitan, mayor, finance, municipal social welfare office at Department of the Interior and Local Government ay magka-connect sila,” the mayor said.
She said that the town received P31.244 million from the national government under the leadership of President Duterte.
“Malaking bagay ang halagang ito para matulungan ang mga kababayan namin na nawalan ng trabaho at talagang naapektuhan ng ECQ dahil sa coronavirus disease,” Macalinao said.
She noted, however, that even how big the amount is, it is still not enough to be able to include all residents in their ayuda lists.
“Ang ginawa ko ay kinuha namin ang 70% ng 100% ng population namin dahil alam ko na ang 10% ay mayayaman at 20% ay professional kaya ‘yong 70% na iyon ang inaayudahan namin mula sa ayuda na ibinigay ng Presidente,” Macalinao said.
The national government has disbursed P698.283 million to the 11 towns and one city in Bataan after the province was placed under ECQ from August 8 to 22, 2021.
