Manila, March 21 -- The city government has disbursed over PHP1.7 billion through its Lingap para sa Mahirap Program from 2022 to 2024, providing critical assistance to marginalized residents, the City Information Office (CIO) reported Friday.

The program supports underprivileged Dabawenyos with funeral expenses, medical bills, medications, laboratory procedures, and dialysis costs.

"The amount demonstrates the program's unwavering commitment to supporting the underprivileged," the CIO said in a statement.

From 2022 to 2024, the program assisted 570,490 patients through hospitals and satellite offices in Barangays Calinan, Marilog, Toril, Bunawan, Paquibato, and the Almendras Gymnasium compound.

In 2022, PHP624.05 million was spen...