Cayetano: 4 DSWD regional directors ‘guilty’ of cash aid delay

MANILA, Philippines — At least four regional directors of the Department of Social Welfare and Development are “guilty” of having delays in the distribution of cash aid under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano revealed Monday.

Benefits under SAP should not be delayed and its requirements should be simple so that beneficiaries will access it easily, he said.

“Ilan ang guilty, inosente na pinagbabalik-balik niyo ‘yung mga kailangan ng requirements? So far I’ve identified four regional directors. ‘Yung iba maganda naman. I think you already removed one,” he said in his opening statement during the House inquiry on the SAP implementation, addressing the DSWD.

(How many are guilty and innocent in making beneficiaries go back and forth with requirements? So far I’ve identified four regional directors. Others have good performance and I think you already removed one.)

He enumerated three areas which were affected by the delay in SAP implementation, namely Pateros-Taguig, South Cotabato and General Santos City.

Among the general complaints of the public with the SAP implementation, Cayetano said, are the following:

•  Too much requirements, tedious processes
• Inadequate
• Slow
• Insensitive to vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities and seniors
• Corruption
• High risk of contracting COVID-19
• Duplication of beneficiaries
• Complaints posted in social media or covered by mainstream media
• Confusion among local government units and barangays
• Lack or breakdown of communication

The House panels on good government and public accountability and public accounts are investigating the delay in the distribution of cash aid, which were meant to soften the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on low-income Filipinos.

Cayetano said the House will make accountable bureaucrats who burdened the public with their policies during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“The question to DSWD is simple: how and when can we get the best assistance in the fastest way? We will hold you accountable, bureaucrats who simply don’t get it,” he said.

“Mayroong bureaucrats na nakasakit sa proseso, dapat i-hold accountable,” the House official added.

(There are bureaucrats who made the process difficult. They should be made accountable.)

JE