Antique: The provincial government has allocated PHP425 million for the Provincial Electric Subsidy Program (PESP) to assist 169,000 households starting from the August billing period.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PHP500 subsidy per household is designated for those connected with the Antique Electric Cooperative (Anteco) and Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) as of June 30. Anteco serves 154,471 household consumers, while Akelco has 15,315 household consumers. The total allocation for this subsidy is part of the PHP574.24 million Supplemental Budget No. 3, which was approved by the provincial board during its regular session on Monday. This subsidy will remain in effect until December.

‘The subsidy is intended to provide leeway for Antique±o households to be able to save some money for their rice and other basic needs instead of paying only their power consumption,’ stated Antique Provincial Development Council (PDC) Secretary General Bienvenido Nallos Jr.

The remaining PHP149 million from the budget will be used to cover the July salaries of contract workers in eight district hospitals and the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of Antique. IPHO chief Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo mentioned that salary delays occurred due to the transition to the new administration. Ten doctors at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH), along with other health personnel in various hospitals, have been impacted by the delay. ASMGH, the provincial hospital in San Jose de Buenavista, often operates beyond its 100-bed capacity, highlighting the necessity for more contractual workers.