Gov. Lacson seeks patience over PHP 50M aid delay

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson has called for public understanding amid delays in the release of PHP 50 million in cash assistance from Malacañang, citing incomplete documentation as the cause of the hold-up.

The funds are part of a PHP 95 million aid package allocated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support the recovery of areas in Negros Occidental severely affected by Typhoon Tino.

Under the distribution plan, PHP 50 million was allotted to the provincial government, while La Carlota City and the municipalities of La Castellana and Moises Padilla were each designated PHP 10 million. Binalbagan, Isabela, and Hinigaran were allocated PHP 5 million each.

Lacson said the provincial government has not been able to access or distribute the funds because the Deed of Donation — a required legal document for the aid’s disbursement — remains unsigned by all relevant parties.

“There’s now a little delay because one original signatory is Executive Secretary Bersamin, and he is no longer in Malacañang. The deed of donation we brought to Manila for signature has a problem because of that,” Lacson said.

The governor explained that the document still lists former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, whose departure from office has raised procedural concerns over the deed’s validity.

He added that the province is awaiting official instructions from the Office of the President to determine whether the document can be accepted or must be revised.

“We have to be careful in releasing this money because later on COA could question us if we do not have the documents to support the said release,” Lacson said.

“While we can give it right away, we will still face a problem if our documents are not complete,” he added.

Lacson assured residents that the province is actively working to complete the required paperwork to ensure compliance and accountability.

“For now, we are simply completing the signatures of the persons concerned,” he said.