Around P24.5 million in medical assistance was distributed to 1,093 indigent and financially-incapacitated residents in the 3rd District of Negros Occidental under the Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program of the Office of Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, from July to Dec. 2025.
The beneficiaries included 394 from Silay, 255 in Talisay, 182 in Victorias City, 135 from E.B. Magalona, and 120 from Murcia, The Metro Third Bulletin, the official Facebook page of the Third District Office, said in a post Jan. 5.
The partner medical institutions were the Riverside Medical Center Inc., Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, The Doctor’s Hospital Inc., Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Adventist Medical Center-Bacolod, Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo Hospital, Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Western Visayas Medical Center.
Benitez’s office also delivered financial aid, worth P38 million, to 6,903 beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program from Dec. 10 to 12. Each local government unit in the district received P7.6 million to assist residents affected by recent crises.
The beneficiaries included 1,019 residents of Victorias, 700 from E.B. Magalona, 1,572 from Silay, 1,394 from Talisay, and 2,218 from Murcia.
During the distribution in Talisay, Argelita Tubongbanua of Barangay Matab-ang expressed her gratitude to Benitez for the financial support. “Our house was totally damaged by Typhoon Tino. Thank you very much for helping us rebuild our house.”
In Silay, Arlene Morales from Sitio Guimbala-on, one of the farmers who received assistance, also conveyed her appreciation. “This (assistance) is such a big help for us.”
The distribution was conducted with the support of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) team from the regional Social Welfare and Development Office, ensuring that the aid reached the most affected residents efficiently.
Benitez reaffirmed his commitment to providing timely assistance to constituents in need, especially during times of calamity and crisis, the press release said.
Meanwhile, 320 Talisaynons from 10 barangays of Talisay City received their wages under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program Dec. 24-28.
The first batch of beneficiaries covered 160 workers, including 40 beneficiaries from Barangay Concepcion, while barangays Cabatangan, Zone 10, Zone 2, and E. Lizares each had 30 beneficiaries.
The second batch, paid out Dec. 28, benefited 160 Talisaynons, with Zone 3 recording the highest number at 40 beneficiaries, followed by Zone 4-A, Matab-ang, Zone 7, and Zone 12, which 30 beneficiaries each.
The beneficiaries were assigned to their respective barangays for a 10-day work period, starting Dec. 15, during which they undertook community-based tasks, including cleaning of public areas, maintaining public spaces, and clearing drainage canals.
The implementation of the TUPAD program in Talisay was spearheaded by Benitez’s Office, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment and the city government of Talisay, led by Mayor Weng Lizares.
TUPAD is a flagship emergency employment program of DOLE that provides short-term work opportunities to displaced, underemployed, and disadvantaged workers. Through labor-intensive community projects, the program offers temporary income support while helping improve and maintain public areas in local communities, the press release added. ||
