The government’s financial assistance of close to PHP30 million stands to benefit 13,500 Ilonggos in the two-day payout at the Iloilo Sports Complex starting Wednesday.

The first day of the payout was for the 6,000 recipients of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program from the city and 1,500 beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) from the second district of Iloilo province.

The second day will be for 6,000 AICS beneficiaries from Iloilo City.

AICS recipients are allotted PHP2,000 each and PHP3,000 for the AKAP.

“As long as we have funds, we will give it back to the people. This is the people’s money, we will give it back to them,” said Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr., whose office facilitated the release.

Carlo Yturriaga, 45, and a resident of Sta. Barbara, said it was his first time to have received financial assistance from the national government. He got PHP3,000 in aid under AKAP.

“This can already help, even if it’s only a small amount,” Yturriaga, who works as a mechanic, said in dialect.

Rebecca Taras, 23 years old from Barbara, said she will use the amount she received from AKAP to buy additional merchandise for her small sari-sari store.

Joining the payout were Uswag Ilonggo party-list regional chairman and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, and local officials of Iloilo. (PNA)