FROM 12,000 to 30,500 indigent families and children will receive white gifts as part of the hunger mitigation program of the Dumaguete City Government, an official said.
In a news release, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo said he had asked and secured the approval of the Dumaguete City Council to appropriate P7.05 million for the following programs: Pamaskong Handog to 20,000 indigent families at P6 million and Share-a-meal to 10,500 indigent children at P1.05 million.
Remollo said he was able to double the amount intended for the purpose thereby increasing the number of recipients by more than 100 percent by giving up his P3 million intelligence fund and diverting it for the indigent families and children.
Remollo also assured to prevent a repeat of incidents where some well-to-do families and children were able to avail of the program, thereby depriving the deserving ones of the once-a-year assistance.
Remollo said he has instructed the City Social Welfare Office to ensure only indigents will be listed and the concerned barangay captains and social workers will really certify that they indeed belong to the city’s poor to avoid wastage of resources.
A scheme will also be in place to ensure an orderly and efficient distribution of the goods and food packs so they will really reach the intended recipients. (PNA)