BACOLOD residents who have tested positive for coronavirus, or the low-income families affected by the lockdown since September 11 will get a P6,000 financial assistance under Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).

Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Wednesday, December 2, that those who tested positive for the virus that causes Covid-19 and those who were affected by the lockdown can apply to the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) to get the financial assistance.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will evaluate the Covid-19 patient’s status to see if they are qualified to get the financial assistance.

Pacita Tero, head of DSSD, said they are waiting for the list from the barangay to determine the number of affected residents or houses that were affected by the 14-day lockdown.

“The families with Covid-19 positive patients can avail the financial assistance including their neighbors who were affected by the lockdown,” she said.

She added the affected residents who already availed themselves of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) can still get the financial assistance.

The DSSD will submit the list of the beneficiaries to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), then it will be forwarded to the DSWD.

Tero said under the Bayanihan 2, the Covid-19 patients who have big hospital bills can also apply for medical assistance as aid to individuals in crisis situations.

As of December 1, Bacolod City has a total of 5,416 Covid-19 cases. Of the number, 4,994 patients have already recovered, 260 are still active cases and 162 have died.