Cordillera PNP head SAP cites folks who waived cash aid for other families

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office-Cordillera has commended some Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiaries in Cordillera for waiving their financial assistance from the government so this can be distributed to other families who need it most.

Brig. Gen. R’win Pagkalinawan, regional police director, extended his gratitude and expressed his admiration to SAP recipients who chose not to receive the cash aid distributed throughout the region by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the different Local Government Units (LGUs) saying that this kind gesture reflects the upright characteristic of Cordillerans, their resiliency during crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, and their concern for others.

               Pagkalinawan said, “It is very heart-warming to experience that amidst this crisis where almost every day is a struggle, people here in Cordillera do not think of getting more for themselves. Rather, they share what they have.”

Since the start of the distribution of the SAP in April this year, residents who are registered in the shortlist of the LGUs to receive the funding, declined the support saying they believe they are overqualified under the parameters set by the DSWD, emphasizing that other families are more deserving.

Most of the reasons why they chose not to receive financial assistance are because they have enough for their families and have enough compensation while others were simply honest since some of their spouses were already recipients in other places, are government employees, and/or 4Ps beneficiaries.

More than a hundred SAP beneficiaries waived the P5,500 cash aid while other provinces are still consolidating while the distribution is ongoing.

              He is confident that the funds allotted to address the concerns of the less fortunate here in Cordillera region are appropriately given to the right family especially since part of the salaries of all Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were committed to the Social Amelioration Fund for COVID-19, not to mention other initiated programs like the “Kapwa Ko Sagot Ko,” Adopt a Family Program, and other charitable efforts of the PROCOR.

“Times of crisis should be moments where everyone must really be brothers’ or sisters’ keeper, and I am very honored to witness that here in Cordillera, You can feel the sincerity, selflessness, and harmony of the people, not only through individual and organizational efforts, but especially in the inter-agency collaboration,” Pagkalinawan added.