From just 12, 000 recipients previously, the present administration will more than double the number of indigent families and children at 30, 500, who will receive white gifts as part of the hunger mitigation program of the city.
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio B. Remollo said that he had asked and secured the approval of the City Council to appropriate P7.05 million for the following programs: Pamaskong Handog to 20, 000 Indigent Families P 6 million and Share-a-meal to 10, 500 indigent children P1.05 million.
Remollo said that he was able to double the amount intended for the purpose thereby increasing the number of recipients by more than 100% by giving up his P 3 million intelligence fund and diverting it for the indigent families and children.
Nevertheless, to prevent repeat of incidents that some well-to-do families and children were able to avail of the program and depriving the deserving ones from getting the once-a-year assistance, Remollo has instructed the City Social Welfare Office to ensure that only indigents will be listed and that the concerned Barangay Captains and social workers will really certify that they indeed belong to the city’s poor to avoid wastage of resources.
A scheme will also be in place to ensure an orderly and efficient distribution of the goods and food packs so they will really reached the intended recipients.