The Misamis Occidental provincial government has provided a PHP2,000 bonus to its 3,200 student scholars and distributed more than PHP1 million worth of assistance to fire survivors.

During the relief distribution in Ozamiz City on Tuesday, Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. stated that the 27 families, comprising 110 individuals, impacted by the June 6 fire in Barangay Catadman-Manabay were fortunate that no lives were lost, with only properties damaged.

“We had some savings from our ‘Pamaskong Handog’ (in December 2024). At least we have extra aid to give three more batches of food packs,” Oaminal said in an interview, referring to their Christmas gift-giving.

The provincial government has already provided PHP10,000 for each affected family, supplemented by an additional PHP8,000 from the local government of Ozamiz City, and another PHP10,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the governor said.

Families were assessed based on the extent of property damage and received aid ranging from PHP15,000 to PHP25,000 per family.

Meanwhile, Oaminal oversaw the distribution of allowances to student scholars under the “One Family, One Professional” program.

Initially, each student received PHP5,000, but Oaminal added a PHP2,000 bonus, bringing the total disbursement for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year to PHP22.4 million. (PNA)