55 Bontoc folks get gov’t cash assistance

By Christy Mae Che-es

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A total of 55 individuals received ₱5,000 each from the government through the Office of Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos.
    The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-SWAD) in coordination with the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) led the pay-out of the cash assistance on November 2, 2021, at the Municipal Capitol.
    The Office of Senator Marcos downloaded the fund for 100 individuals to the DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) while the personnel of DSWD-SWAD Mountain Province is in charge of its disbursement.
    According to Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Araceli Shane Banayos, their office was in charge of identifying the qualified beneficiaries with the help of the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and provided technical assistance during the pay-out. 
    Banayos said that the 100 slots were divided among the 16 barangays in the municipality. As of press time, the first to receive cash assistance are the 55 identified beneficiaries while the remaining 45 slots are yet to be distributed to the recipients in the outskirt barangays of Bontoc.
    The beneficiaries are Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who have not received any cash assistance, indigent solo parents, and parents with malnourished children.
    Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed his utmost gratitude to the said office and agencies that took the initiative and led the pay-out.
    “I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Office of Senator Imee Marcos for extending assistance to our constituents. During this trying time, it is our responsibility to extend a helping hand to the vulnerable sectors in our community,” he added.