Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development to give the aid of his Benhur Burial Assistance Program directly to the beneficiaries instead of the funeral parlors.
This after he received several complaints that some beneficiaries spent more than the receivable amount allocated under his assistance program.
The congressman also said that he already talked with DSWD-7 director Teodulo Romo Jr. regarding the matter.
“I insisted that it should be given directly to the beneficiaries…Nalipay ko that the DSWD is taking action into this. Probably next week, they will release the assistance directly to the beneficiaries,” Salimbangon said.
Beneficiaries of those who are 12 years old and below are entitled to claim P2,000 while beneficiaries of those 13 years old and above are entitled to claim P3,000.
Daanbantayan information officer Gregg Rubio also confirmed that there were lots of complaints submitted to his office.
“There were complaints that they have spent more than the amount of the burial assistance…they spent more than P3,000 just to get the P3,000 assistance,” Rubio told The Freeman.
Beneficiaries also complained that if their records are incomplete, they have to come back the following day to complete the transaction.
Before the changes, a relative could only avail of the benefits if he or she can present a Benhur Health Card, an original copy of the death certificate, a barangay Certification, an endorsement from the mayor and a referral letter from the office of the congressman himself.
With the new procedure, there are only three requirements that are to be accomplished by the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the program: the death certificate, certification from the barangay captain and the Benhur Health Card. – Joy Kareen T. Saliente/BRP