ILOILO City – The island province of Guimaras has received more than P107 million as emergency subsidy under the national government’s social amelioration program (SAP) for families there affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Guimaras, which is considered as “low-risk” by the national government in the spread of the virus, is under general community quarantine until May 15.
Gov. Samuel Gumarin said on May 8 that the SAP aid, along with the P28 million from the Bayanihan Grant of the national government also, is a big help for Guimarasnons in their fight to remain free from COVID-19.
Gumarin added during an interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary Martin Andanar that the provincial government there also purchased a total of 53,000 sacks of rice from the National Food Authority.
Each family received a sack of rice after Guimaras was placed under enhanced community quarantine last month.
An assistance package, on the other hand, is being prepared for the returning Guimarasnon overseas Filipino workers.
For its part, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6 commended the island province after all its five municipalities have accomplished a 100 percent distribution of the SAP cash aid.
Around 17,876 families in Guimaras’ 98 villages benefited from the program.(With a report from PIA/PN)
