By Frances Kristine Alvero/PNA
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government has allocated an initial PHP11 million for the implementation this year of its expanded social services assistance program for poor or indigent residents.
Haidee Agustin, acting head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said Monday the funds will be utilized as emergency financial grants and other related assistance under its crisis intervention program.
Agustin said the assistance includes grants for burial, hospitalization and other medical needs as well as the provision of financial, welfare goods and transportation assistance to residents in crisis situations.
The crisis intervention program was designed to immediately respond to emergency needs of walk-in, referred, reported and monitored individuals and families who belong to marginalized sectors.
“It aims to help the socio-economic well-being of poor individuals and families in times of crisis,” she said in an interview.
Under the program, qualified residents may avail of PHP5,000 in mortuary assistance and up to P15,000 for hospitalization. It also caters to other medical-related needs like laboratory tests for various major illnesses and dialysis and physical therapy.
To avail of the financial assistance, residents who are in need are required to submit medical abstracts, referrals, certificates of confinement and funeral receipts and contracts.
Last year, the provincial government allotted some PHP37.7 million for the program through its annual general fund and supplemental budget. It released a total of PHP37.38 million worth of financial assistance to over 9,000 beneficiaries.
