The local government of Belison town in Antique province has provided emergency cash assistance to 384 residents affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In an interview on Wednesday, Belison Mayor Christopher Piccio said they initiated the program, “No Belisongnon is Left Behind”, for those who were unable to avail of the social amelioration program (SAP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and other emergency cash aid from the national government.

“We had a PHP2-million supplemental budget as emergency cash assistance,” Piccio said, adding that they wanted Belison residents to feel that the government has not neglected them.

He said they began extending the emergency assistance last July 8 and 384 residents have received it as of July 14.

Piccio said they have not set a target as to how many residents would be assisted “but for other residents needing emergency cash assistance, they may coordinate with the municipal social welfare and development office of Belison.”

“There is no economic status being considered in giving the assistance because we believe that everybody is a victim of Covid-19,” he said.

Those living alone received PHP1,500, while households composed of two persons received PHP2,000; three persons, PHP3,000; four persons, PHP4,000; and five persons, PHP5,000.

“PHP5,000 is the ceiling amount for the emergency cash assistance,” Piccio said, adding that it was released by the Municipal Treasurer’s Office (MTO) to the beneficiaries of the 11 barangays at the municipal gymnasium.

“For those who could not come to the MTO, it is being released to them by the MTO house-to-house in their barangays,” he said. (PNA)