Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada —Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada took to the Senate plenary his frustration and disagreement over the penalty now being imposed by the local government of San Juan for violators of its city ordinance in relation to the operation and maintenance of evacuation centers.
In a privilege speech delivered during the chamber’s Tuesday plenary session, Estrada lambasted San Juan’s City Ordinance No. 26, Series of 2024, issued on Monday.
Provisions of the mayor’s order indicated that all donations from private and public individuals, governments, or non-governmental organizations for victims of the disaster must go through the Office of the Mayor to ensure that it is recorded and reported properly.
READ: A blow to Bayanihan: JV Ejercito hits San Juan City’s donation rule
Visitors or donors who also wish to enter the evacuation centers are now also required to obtain an entry permit from the Office of the Mayor to ensure order in the evacuation center and the safety of the evacuees.
Whoever violates the provisions stated in the city ordinance will be fined.
“[H]indi ko lubos maisip, kung ano ang mabuting maidudulot ng pagpapatupad ng City Ordinance No. 26 series of 2024 ng San Juan City, sa nasasakupan nitong lungsod, na magtakda ng pataw na limang libong pisong multa sa sinumang donor na hindi mag pasintabi sa Office of the Mayor,” said Estrada.
“Bakit kailangan pang dumaan sa isang mahaba at di makatwiran na proseso ang pagbibigay ng tulong? Hindi ba’t mas mainam at mabilis na paraan kung direktang makakarating ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan? (Why does it have to go through a long and unreasonable process to give aid? Isn’t it a better and faster way if help can reach those in need directly?)” he asked.
According to the Senate’s second top official, such government behavior prohibits citizens from helping others, adding that it shows “lack of trust” in those people with good intentions.
“Malaking halaga ang limang libong piso lalo na sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan na nagpapaabot ng konting tulong. Sa halagang ito, maaari mo nang matustusan ang apat na araw na pangangailangan ng isang pamilyang binubuo ng limang katao (Five thousand pesos is a huge amount especially to ordinary citizens who are only extending a little help. With this amount, you can supply the four-day needs of a family consisting of five people.),” said Estrada.
“Malinaw na may bahid ng pulitika ang ordinansang ito. At hindi maikakaila na inaprubahan ito matapos ang isang video na kinasangkutan ng inyong lingkod. Sa insidenteng iyon, pinagkaitan ako ng pagkakataon na ipagbigay-alam sa mga biktima ng sunog na handa ako na magbigay ng tulong (This ordinance is clearly tainted with politics. And it was undeniably approved after a video involving your servant. In that incident, I was deprived of the opportunity to inform the victims of the fire that I am ready to help.),” he added.
He said it was not the first time that such a thing had happened, recalling that on Feb. 17, he was also prohibited by the local government to use Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine as a venue in his bid to distribute grocery items to 3,000 people.
“Kaya paano nila masasabing ‘laging bukas ang ating pamahalaan para makipag-ugnayan sa inyo,’ sa lahat ng nais tumulong? Sinungaling ka (How can they say that the local government is open to coordinating with everyone who wants to help? You are a liar.),” said Estrada.
For his part, he said it would be better to just put up measures to ensure that assistance from a private individual or sector will, indeed, benefit the needy.
Concluding his speech, the senator then called on “leaders” in San Juan to revisit ordinances being implemented in the city.
‘Everyone is welcome in San Juan’
In a separate statement posted on his Facebook page, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora explained that the ordinance was not issued to prevent or limit those who want to help San Juañenos, no matter who they are.
Zamora said everyone who wants to help is very welcome in San Juan.
“This ordinance was unanimously approved by the City Council of San Juan, which states the rules and regulations in times of disaster. It was not passed to prevent or limit anyone who wants to help our citizens in times of crisis,” said Zamora.
According to Zamora, in times such as this—especially after a pandemic, it is only right and just to ensure that the situation in evacuation centers remains orderly.
“This is the reason why someone must carefully manage and coordinate all those who will be allowed to visit here to follow all the protocols that exist. It is also very important to carefully check all donations because it is the responsibility of our local government to make sure that the food, drinks and medicine that is distributed to everyone inside the evacuation centers, whether it is a local government offering, is safe and proper,” he said.