BAGUIO CITY – At least P15 million was earmarked from the congressional initiatives to fund the enhanced delivery of basic services to the deserving residents of this mountain resort city for the remaining part of this year, particularly the educational financial assistance and livelihood assistance to indigents.

Out of the said amount, P7 million will be utilized for the educational financial assistance to over 1,000 poor but deserving students from the 128 barangays of the city while another P7 million will be earmarked for the livelihood assistance to enterprising residents who want to earn a descent income for their respective families.

Another P1 million will be given to the Baguio General Hospital as medical assistance to indigent patients who are in dire need of financial aid for their illness.

Baguio Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara said despite the stringent rules and regulations being implemented by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the allocation of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), there is a need to prioritize some soft infrastructure, especially education, livelihood and health, so that indigent residents will be able to benefit from the services being provided them by the government.

Vergara said investments being infused to the present and future generations will help them become productive citizens of the country considering that education being given them is still the best inheritance that the forefathers can give to the youth since it could not be easily taken away from them.

He said emphasis must be given to education and livelihood because they are the major components of growth in a certain community so that people will be able to utilize their precious time for the benefit of better income.