The distribution of the P90-million financial assistance to typhoon victims in Negros Occidental faces delay due to the election banning period that will start on March 25 until May 8 this year, Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said.
However, Diaz said he was told by Provincial Comelec supervisor, Atty. Roberto Salazar, that the national government can still assist local government units in requesting for an exemption in the distribution of assistance from the National Housing Authority.
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While the provincial government already submitted the documents required by the NHA, Diaz said they are still waiting for the 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 damaged by Typhoon Odette in December last year.
Diaz said they are looking into the possibility of starting the distribution of NHA financial assistance to LGUs that already submitted their master list before the banning period takes effect.
Salazar, as requested by Diaz, briefed on March 20 the Capitol department heads on the prohibitions covered by the election banning period, including the 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 is also not included in the ban. But if they were hired during the campaign period that started Feb. 9 for national candidates and partylist groups, and on March 25 for the local bets, a list should be furnished to the Commission on Elections, Diaz said.
While positions can be processed for filling up, he added that the effectivity in the assumption of office and appointment will only take effect after the banning period./GB