TACLOBAN CITY – Amidst the pandemic in 2021, City Mayor Alfred Romualdez resumes the operations of the MASA Center, or the Mayor Alfred’s Social Action – Center to assist indigent citizens with medical and burial needs.
On Thursday (April 13), 47 indigent individuals received financial assistance for medical and burial needs and other forms of aid from the MASA Center during the People’s Day held on the ground floor of City Hall.
Grace Sudario-Gozo, MASA officer-in-charge, said that to avail of burial assistance, requirements like the death certificate, funeral contract, barangay indigency, voter’s ID or voter’s certification, and a letter addressed to Mayor Romualdez need to be complied.
Meantime, those asking for medical assistance are also likewise directed to bring with them necessary documents which include a medical certificate, laboratory result or hospital bill, barangay indigency, voter’s ID or voter’s certification, and a letter addressed to the Office of the City Mayor.
According to Gozo, medical assistance is not always provided in cash because some medications are available at the City Health Office, while indigent citizens who need financial assistance for a funeral should visit their office not later than 15 days after the death; otherwise, they will no longer recognize it.
Financial assistance provided by the MASA Center is not limited to medical and burial purposes, but also extends to education and other needs, she added.
Meanwhile, Gozo clarified that each member of a household is eligible to receive financial assistance of up to P5,000 in cash, which can be availed once every six months, in order to fulfill their objective of “sharing the sunshine” and providing equal assistance for all.
DEAN MARK YU, LNU Student Intern)
