Capitol distributes P60M worth of roofing materials to typhoon victims

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Thursday that more than P60 million worth of roofing materials were distributed by the provincial government to thousands of typhoon survivors in Negros Occidental.

Lacson said 2,486 residents of Hinigaran town were the last batch of recipients of the roofing materials worth P14.9 million and banana seedlings.

The release was stopped for now as the Commission on Elections disallows the distribution in line with the May 9 elections.

“The campaign for local candidates starts Friday (March 25). If there is more to give after the election period, we will continue to give,” Lacson said.

The P90-million housing assistance of the National Housing Authority is expected to be distributed by the provincial government after the election period.

Still, Lacson, who is seeking re-election, hopes that NHA manages to secure an exemption from the Comelec in the distribution of housing assistance.

“Just to be fair, if NHA allows us to distribute (P90 million assistance), I will not be present, so that I will not be accused of taking advantage of the resources of NHA for my campaign,” he added.

On the other hand, Lacson also raised the possibility that the election period may also affect the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as incumbent local officials may focus in their campaign for re-election.

“It is possible that in some local government units, the provincial government will continue the vaccination,” he said.

But Lacson said he is hoping that LGUs will give time to vaccination efforts.