Bacolod City – The distribution of P90 million financial assistance to Negros Occidental typhoon victims faces delay because of election banning period which will start on March 25 until May 8 this year, according to Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.
Diaz, however, said he was told by Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Roberto Salazar that the national government can still assist local government units in requesting an exemption from the Comelec with regard to the distribution of assistance from the National Housing Authority.
While the provincial government already complied in submitting documents required from them by NHA, Diaz said they are still waiting a master list of recipients from the typhoon-affected LGUs.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is giving P5,000 each to families whose houses were either destroyed or partially damaged by typhoon Odette in December last year, who have yet to receive assistance from the government.
But Diaz said they are looking into the possibility of starting the distribution of NHA financial assistance to LGUs that already submitted their respective master lists, before the banning period takes effect March 25.
Salazar, as requested by Diaz, yesterday briefed the Capitol department heads on prohibitions covered by the election banning period, which includes disbursement of public works, social services and housing projects.
Diaz clarified that the vaccination campaign is not covered by the prohibitions since it is a health service.
The hiring of job order and contract service employees are not also covered by the banning. But if they were hired during the campaign period, a list should be furnished to the Comelec, Diaz said.
While positions can be processed for filling up, he added that the effectivity in the assumption office and appointment will only take effect after the banning period. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)