AMID the alleged ‘ayuda scam’ in Davao Region discussed during a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order on Tuesday, January 23, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the need for equitable and transparent distribution of government aid to poor and indigent Filipinos.
Go, vice chairperson of the said committee, opened his address by reaffirming his support for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) programs that provide assistance to the underprivileged.
“Basta po yung mga programa ng DSWD na nakakatulong sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan, handa po akong sumuporta,” he stated.
He however appealed to DSWD to ensure immediate, fair, clean and politics-free aid distributions to achieve its mandate of uplifting the lives of the poor.
“Kaya nakakalungkot po malaman that some of our fellow countrymen are allegedly being robbed of funds which are intended to provide assistance to them,” he remarked.
This is in response to claims that beneficiaries only get a percentage of the allocated amount of educational assistance due to them from DSWD. Furthermore, the aid was allegedly distributed during the period when such programs were put on hold due to the conduct of the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
In his questioning, Go sought clarity on the DSWD’s actions to safeguard public funds intended to aid the poor. He asked them to ensure the rightful beneficiaries receive assistance without any deductions or political interference.
“Ako po ay personal na bumababa sa ating mga kababayan para makapagbigay po ng tulong, dun ko po nakikita yung tunay na kalagayan nila, kaya hindi po katanggap-tangap sa atin na may kinukuha at binabawasan ng iilang mapagsamantala,” he asserted.
“Paano ninyo ma-assure na nakararating talaga sa benepisyaryo yung P2,000 o P3,000 o P5,000, tulad yung para sa mga (biktima ng) sunog diba, dinidiretso ninyo ba talaga (sa benepisyaryo)?” he said.
Go also highlighted the need for thorough coordination between agencies mandated to implement programs to aid the poor such as DSWD’s Assistance to Indigents in Crisis Situations (AICS), and local government units when it comes to validating target beneficiaries and ensuring seamless implementation on the ground.
The senator explained the distinction between the national-level DSWD and local entities like the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO or MSWDO), which operate under local government units (LGUs) and are appointed by mayors or governors. He emphasized the need to prevent selective distribution and favoritism to ensure that the impoverished are not exploited.
“Iba kasi to, para maintindihan ng Pilipino, iba po yung DSWD, national po yun. Yung CSWDO or MSWDO, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. Under siya ng LGU, ibig sabihin, ang mag-aappoint nito ay mayor o ang governor,” said Go.
“Paano po matigil ito na mahaluan po ng pulitika at (paano masigurado na) huwag po dapat maging selective ang pagpili ng mga benepisyaryo?” he asked.
Go also addressed the role of LGUs in the selection and distribution process, emphasizing the difference in cases where the DSWD directly pays out aid versus when LGUs handle the payments.
“I’m saying this, mayor, alam ko naman na gusto ninyo din po tulungan ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan, unahin po natin, tell your CSWD, MSWD or PSWD ninyo na unahin yung mga mahihirap at wag maging selective sa pagpili,” he advised.
Go then made a heartfelt plea to the DSWD and concerned authorities to prioritize the needs of the less fortunate, especially those affected by calamities, disasters and other crises such as fires. He asked the DSWD to act swiftly and without political bias.
“Pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, balikan ninyo yung mga nasunugan, yung iba diyan two months na, wala pa ding nababalikan, (di pa naayudahan) yung nasunugan. Yung iba diyan hirap na hirap na, alam ninyo pag nasunugan ka, back to zero ka. Ang hirap masunugan. Pero di pa din nababalikan ng DSWD dahil wala daw pong pera,” he said.
“Kaysa may ganitong isyu ng anomalya, unahin po yung mga naghihirap, yung mga nasusunugan. Wag po unahin yung pulitika… Dapat walang magsamantala dito, dapat ang mahihirap ang makinabang nito, kasi pera ito ng tao, dapat maiuwi nila ito. Kanila po iyan. So, dapat po ay matigil ito, at huwag haluan ng pulitika,” Go added.
To conclude, Go stressed the need for stringent measures to prevent future occurrences of aid pilferage. Go called on the DSWD and other relevant authorities to be vigilant and ensure that assistance reaches its intended recipients in full.
Tingnan natin ito ng mabuti at matigil na ito. Mahinto na ito dahil mahirap ito, kung magpapatuloy, tapos papunta na tayo ng eleksyon, hindi dapat mahaluan ng pulitika, wala dapat magbawas dyan… o magsamantala pa ng kahinaan ng ating mga kababayan. Pera po ng Pilipino yan, ibalik dapat sa kanila,” he advised.
