The city government here has released more than PHP28 million in financial aid to residents affected by Typhoon Odette in a series of payouts held this week.

As of Thursday, the city’s Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) has distributed various amounts to each household with partially damaged shelter during the release of assistance at the Gonzaga gym and Bacolod Arts Center in Barangay Taculing.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a statement he is glad the city government can reach out to the affected residents as he thanked them for their cooperation during the preemptive evacuation.

“In the past, it was very difficult to encourage the people to leave their homes. This time, we evacuated more than 5,000 Bacolodnons before the typhoon hit. It saved a lot of lives and we were able to avoid casualties,” he added.

Residents with partially damaged houses received either PHP5,000 or PHP2,000 each, depending on the DSSD assessment.

On Feb. 9, 1,647 beneficiaries from 18 villages received more than PHP6 million while on Tuesday, more than PHP3 million were distributed to 873 recipients from 22 barangays.

On Feb. 7, 1,049 recipients from 10 villages were granted some PHP4 million in financial assistance.

Last February 4, a total of 2,082 beneficiaries received PHP10.4 million in cash aid while on February 3, almost PHP5 million were released to 987 recipients.

On the last week of January, the city government also released a cash aid of PHP6.96 million to residents whose houses were destroyed during the typhoon.

Some 696 families received PHP10,000 each. (PNA)