DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III expressed gratefulness and elation over the appreciation made by no less than DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Ano on the ‘selfless acts” of Region XII, along with Navotas (Metro Manila) residents who returned or waived a huge amount of their emergency cash assistance for other low-income households. A total of P14.6-million in emergency cash has now ended up in the hands of more deserving recipients.

In a statement released earlier, Secretary Ano said, “Nakakabilib ang mga taga-Region XII at Navotas. Nagawa nilang ibalik ang ayuda na dapat sana ay para sa kanila para mapakinabangan ng iba pang mas nangangailangan. Yan ang tunay na Bayanihan sa panahon ng COVID.” 

Dir. Leysa is fully aware that those who waived their cash assistance are also trying to make both ends meet. “It is nothing less than ‘inspiring’ when people who are also struggling give up something for the sake of others”, Dir. Leysa said in a radio interview. The Regional Director made media appearances to personally campaign for the practice of generosity, kindness and concern for others and her efforts seem to have really paid off.

Records from the DILG Central Office show that a total of P10, 305, 000.00 in SAP financial assistance in Region XII and P4.6-million in Navotas had been returned or waived by some qualified SAP beneficiaries.

The government’s social amelioration program has earmarked the amount of P5,000 to P8,000 for each of the 18-million low-income families as subsidy to provide for basic food, medicine, and toiletries which is computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates and existing subsidy programs of the local and national governments.

Director Leysa believes that “this display of generosity will ‘rekindle hope and provide more inspiration for others, despite the ‘coronavirus crisis.’