Negros Occidental awaits PHP 50M aid for typhoon victims

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is anticipating the release of PHP 50 million in presidential assistance for communities devastated by Typhoon Tino, with documentation for the Deed of Donation now nearing completion.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rafrando Diaz said the final paperwork is expected soon from the Office of the President, after all required signatures were secured.

An authorized provincial representative has been dispatched to Manila to follow up on the documents.

The release had been stalled due to a signature discrepancy involving former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) head Adrian Carlos A. Bersamin, who is no longer with the Office of the President.

“With the documentation nearly complete, we expect the funds to be downloaded to the local government units, particularly those in the Fourth and Fifth Districts, which were the hardest hit by the typhoon,” Diaz said.

The PHP 50 million will be distributed in cash to local government units (LGUs), in accordance with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson’s directive.

The LGUs will determine how much to allocate to each qualified beneficiary.

A damage assessment will guide the equitable distribution of the funds, prioritizing communities that suffered the greatest impact from the typhoon.

The provincial government plans to roll out the financial assistance by early 2026, focusing on housing rehabilitation and recovery efforts for affected residents.

In addition to the provincial allocation, the Deeds of Donation for six LGUs are also being finalized: La Castellana, La Carlota City, and Moises Padilla are each set to receive PHP 10 million, while Hinigaran, Binalbagan, and Isabela are slated to receive PHP 5 million each.

Diaz said all necessary signatures for these municipalities are expected before the end of 2025.

Lacson previously appealed for public patience, emphasizing that the delay stemmed from procedural issues beyond the province’s control.

“There’s a little delay because one of the original signatories was Executive Secretary Bersamin, who is no longer in Malacañang. The deed of donation we brought to Manila for signature encountered a problem because of that,” Lacson said.

The PHP 50 million for Negros Occidental is part of a broader PHP 95-million assistance package approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for areas heavily affected by Typhoon Tino in November.