OpinionsEye OpenerLocal SAP is sapping social fabric

Local SAP is sapping social fabric

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To update the government’s various social amelioration programs, allow them to blend in with each other, and to alleviate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis during the Community Quarantine, government agencies released Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1. This is pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing directives.

A move that should make every Filipino be happy about.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare & Development with collaborations from the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade & Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Budget & Management, and Department of the Interior & Local Government.

Regrettably, the first wave of the SAP cash assistance distributed to qualified families has raised several reactions and questions; the clamor has even evolved into a debate about who’s considered middle class or lower class. There is too much brouhaha about it.

But that is not all. Instead of putting a smile on people’s faces, it has unexpectedly sapped the social fabric of the people.

How can a supposedly government assistance in times of crisis bring about so much chaos, disappointment, and skepticism among residents?

Vague, fragmented

The ambiguous and scrappy information provided by the government on the amelioration initiative is causing distress among citizens and implementers on the ground.

For instance, how come Barangay officials are receiving SAP? Isn’t there a set of guidelines on who should and shouldn’t get SAP? But as usual, ang “duol sa lamesa, mao jud ang makakaon ug una.” So, “pasuoray” lang gihapon?

In my opinion, Barangay officials are not qualified to receive such. In the first place, they shouldn’t have included their names or filled up SAP forms. Their action is UNETHICAL. Although, they returned the money, still, they have done it already. The damaging impression has already been committed. And what damage has been done? People (those who are qualified and who really needed the assistance) in the community are now thinking that the government is not really serious in its efforts of reaching out to people in this time of utmost need. They are thinking nga “paduolay ra gihapon sa luwag.”

If ever these Barangay officials would qualify to receive the SAP because they are just “honorarium-paid,” they shouldn’t be the priority because there are still thousands of other poor people in every barangay who need the SAP. Their honorarium pay remains with them even during ECQ. But what about those who belong to the “no work, no pay” scheme? and those who really cannot have income during the ECQ? These should be the ones who must be prioritized.

Likewise, DSWD is not doing their job properly in conducting an honest-to-goodness verification and validation of those who have submitted names as well as those who have forwarded the duly accomplished SAP forms.

I know and I am sure that even when the ECQ period would come to an end, there will still be thousands of those who will not receive the SAP assistance. Therefore, I would say that the purpose of SAP has been defeated because this SAP is supposed to be during ECQ period, and the eligibility criteria has not been strictly followed and adhered to.

Sad effects

Unhappily, this will have contemptable impacts on the locality’s social fabric and people’s perception of the local government unit. People will become suspicious again, they will become more skeptical, the number of cynics around will increase, and worse, nobody will trust and believe in this government ever again.

I do not want to rant on what government should do or what it shouldn’t do. Just get your act together and do it well.

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Author’s email: [email protected]

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