Enlighten us on assistance guidelines

CEBU, Philippines - Mayors of Bantayan Island have elevated their concerns on the Emergency Shelter Assistance to the office of Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman.

Bantayan and Santa Fe mayors Ian Escario and Jose Esgana, respectively, have sent formal communication to Soliman on behalf of their constituents.

The letters were sent February and have not yet received response.

Bantayan consultant on tourism and heritage Vince Escario and Esgana both said they are hoping to get enlightenment especially on the guidelines set by the Department of Social Welfare and Development on ESA.

Both local chief executives stressed that the release of Yolanda ESA guidelines on November 2014 has led to the dropping of beneficiaries initially listed to receive assistance under the omnibus guidelines.

Bantayan town has asked Soliman to shed light on the discrepancies of omnibus guidelines and the Yolanda ESA guidelines.

“When Yolanda hit Bantayan, it did not choose to only devastate the poor, sparing the rich. Each victim deserves the assistance,” Vince Escario said.

Esgana, in his letter, expressed worry over the controversy to be used against him especially that the new guidelines exclude government employees and those with fixed income of more than P15,000.

While they earlier said that they will not receive the money, Santa Fe has decided to accept the check.

“We decided to accept the money. Kay basin mahatag siya sa lain especially when another calamity occurs. We might lose the chance to receive assistance. We will release it to the indigents and those that fall under the new guidelines. The remaining, this will be pending until clarified by DSWD,” Esgana said.

He intended to start the distribution in the coming week.

Santa Fe has requested from the national government P156.9 million in total for its shelter rehabilitation.

An initial P5.8 million was released last December intended for barangay Langub in Kinatarcan Island, the area where a sinkhole developed.

The most recent distribution downloaded December 29 and received by the town two weeks ago amounted to P95.8 million.

Esgana received verbal invitation for a March 10 multi-agency meeting with DSWD, Commission on Audit, and northern Cebu mayors, among other concerned agencies.  (FREEMAN)