DSWD pressed: Clarify rules on financial aid distribution

EDITORIAL

Amid complaints nationwide, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been asked to clarify guidelines in the distribution of financial assistance for citizens affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia Monday asked DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista to issue a clear and specific statement on the beneficiaries qualified to receive assistance based on guidelines set by the government. 

               In a two-page letter to Bautista, Leonardia, who is national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, said there is a “growing perception” and misinterpretation through the mass media that there is enough budget to cover all low-income households. 

Leonardia said he wrote the letter after mayors all over the country informed him about the misconception and false expectation that have been causing confusion among residents and barangay officials. 

The mayor said he is aware of this matter as barangay captains in Bacolod have been reporting to him about complaints coming from residents, who believe that everyone is qualified under the program.

              In the wake of these speculation, Leonardia appealed to Bautista to officially clarify that only those qualified under the DSWD guidelines and not everyone can receive financial assistance from the government. 

“We hope to get a categorical statement from our authorities to clear, once and for all, this widespread misconception and misinterpretation that could cause enormous confusion and inordinate expectations among our people,” Leonardia said.

To date, the DSWD has not yet issued a clear and categorical statement on policies and rules on distribution of government funds to nationwide constituents affected by Covid-19.

The DSWD leadership, pundits are saying, should clear the air on the matter considering people are apprehensive and voicing their frustrations on the matter on social media as the number of Covid-19 cases is still going up even as the quarantine is enforced with people going hungry since they could not work.