More pandemic-stricken constituents seek government assistance

More pandemic-stricken constituents seek government assistance

Concerned offices of the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) headed by Governor Carlos M. Padilla had been catering to a continuing stream of hundreds of constituents who are seeking various forms of assistance since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

Provincial Treasurer Rhoda S. Moreno attributed the relatively huge number of people flocking lately at their office and other concerned PGNV agencies to the partial release of programmed budget allotments for assistance to constituents following the approval last January 17 of the provincial government’s Local Expenditure Program for the Fiscal Year 2022 (2022LEP) with a total appropriation of about P2.29 billion.

She also explained that they need to complete as many assistance transactions as they can for the PGNV to be of help to more people’s organizations and individuals in need, in view of the COMELEC’s prohibition on the giving of donations or gifts in cash or in kind, among others, under Section 104 of the Omnibus Election Code that commences tomorrow, February 8.

Provincial Budget Officer Virginia N. Iglesias said that the PGNV and other LGUs across the country have a bigger budget this current fiscal year on account of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia case where LGUs are expected to receive an increment in their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), now known as National Tax Allotment (NTA), which is equivalent to 40% of tax collections that were previously not part of the basis of its computation.

A sizable portion of the year’s PGNV appropriation has been allotted to concerned PGNV offices, including the Office of the Provincial Governor, in view of the social and economic impacts of the pandemic that are greatly affecting people’s organizations, small businesses/entrepreneurs, households, and individuals, especially those belonging to the marginalized sectors.

Executive Assistant IV Emerlene Jane I. Galanta and Supervising Administrative Officer Marita B. Bulosan, both working under the Office of the Governor, disclosed that most of the requests that they have been processing include medical assistance, educational assistance, wheelchairs and canes, blankets, collapsible tents, tables, and chairs.

Board Member-Floor Leader Patricio F. Dumlao, Jr., and Board Member-Assistant Floor Leader Flodemonte S. Gerdan who were also helping in the processing of larger forms of assistance for municipal and barangay governments, associations, cooperatives, and schools said that the requested funds are intended for multipurpose community buildings and related structures, farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, electrification, transportation equipment, and working capital, among others.

Thousands of pandemic-stricken Novo Vizcayanos flock on February 7 to the Provincial Capitol to beat the deadline for claiming requests for assistance.