Just recently, the city-run Universidad de Manila (UDM) hosted the awarding of financial assistance to beneficiaries of the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) from Senator Imee Marcos.
The distribution was done by the office of the good Senator in cooperation with the City Government of Manila headed by Mayor Honey Lacuna, who was joined in the event by UDM President Felma Carlos-Tria and Manila social welfare department Director Re Fugoso.
Our lady mayor welcomed the said occasion, saying any help from anyone, specially those from the national government, is most welcome in Manila, specially if it would benefit the less-privileged.
As for me, Senator Imee’s having chosen Manila as the venue for the distribution of her AICs, albeit to a number of chosen residents only, is also most welcome.
This is for the reason that simply put, Senator Imee has shown to one and all that she trusts and believes in the good governance of Mayor Honey.
While the local government of Manila under the stewardship of Mayor Honey always and consistently addresses all the needs of the residents, any additional help coming from outside sources such as national officials will always be welcomed by us with open arms.
In the case of fire victims for instance, while the city government already provides every family whose houses are razed by fire, specially in this season when fire incidents are at its peak, a total of P10,000 each, any extra cash aid that would better help these families start anew is good news for us.
This, of course, is over and above the usual monthly financial aid that the local government of Manila provides through its social amelioration program.
Under the said program, monthly cash aid is being provided by the Lacuna government to senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities. College and Grade 12 students are also recipients of the monthly cash assistance from the city, to aid them with their school needs.
It is also a welcome move for the city of Manila that the local government unit (LGU) had been tapped to help in the distribution of the AICS.
In fact, we thank Senator Imee for having chosen Manila as beneficiary of her AICS and for the trust she had reposed in the administration of Mayor Honey.
By involving the LGU in such an activity, peace and order is better assured, and make no mistake. The city government is always ready and willing to help in whatever way possible.
In the case of the AICs payout at the UDM, the recipients of the cash aid were chosen from a list provided by social welfare department director Re Fugoso. These are individuals whose families were most economically displaced by the pandemic.
Not only was the city able to lend a good venue, we were also able to provide the necessary manpower to maintain peace and order during the entire activity.
During the height of the pandemic, the city government, through the guidance of Mayor Honey, had been able to establish a scheme which is proven effective, even during the distribution to the eligible residents of cash aid from the national government.
It is because in such cases, the Manila LGU utilizes not only its city personnel but also taps the help of the barangay authorities.
It will also be recalled that the MDSW under Re Director Fugoso handled the payout of SAP cash assistance in 2020 and then twice again in 2021 without hitches.
We hope that all national and even non-government entities who may want to extend help to Manilans will also take time to properly coordinate with the Manila LGU.
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