The outdated list of 2018 Census from the City Planning Office, according to barangay officials have intruded in the delay of relief goods distribution and cash assistance for the residents of San Manuel, this city, who are still reeling from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amidst the Covid19 pandemic.
Social media netizens and residents of the said barangay displayed distress on social media concerning the delay of distribution of relief packs and cash assistance from the City Government which will also be given through the help of barangay officials and purok staff. A source told Palawan Daily News that they were being asked by some barangay staff to choose whether they would like to receive a relief pack or the P1500 cash assistance.
“Nakaraan pinapapili kami kung relief goods daw ba o ýung P1500 na cash assistance, parang hindi naman tama kasi ang innannounce dapat parehong may matatanggap,” he said.
A San Manuel resident, meanwhile, said that they haven’t received any relief goods or cash assistance since the distribution started last week.
“Mabuti nga sila may natanggap na. Kami dito sa bandang dulo wala pa pero nag bahay-bahay naman sila 3 days ago kinuha ang pangalan at nilista para daw sa P1500, hanggang ngayon nag-hihintay kami. Sana dumating na,” she said.
Both sources asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals from local officials.
Roselyn Delgado, San Manuel Barangay Treasurer, in an interview said that the first set of distribution already started since last week, through door to door delivery which is still on-going as of press time.
“Nagsimula kami nakaraang linggo pa, distribution ng bigas at relief goods namin, door to door naming hinahatid through our purok presidents. ‘Yung una naming naibigay dalawa’t kalahating kilo ng bigas ngayon dinagdagan na natin ginawa na natin 3 kilos per household pati sa mga boarding house. Lahat kasama, wala kaming kinakaligtaan,” Delgado said.
Delgado also said that the cash assistance from the City Government amounting to P1500, is now on its 90% completion, although it is still on-going up to now for some purok.
“Nasa 90% na rin kami na na-idistribute sa part ko door to door kaming naghahatid, anim na grupo kami, lahat kami nagtutulongan sa barangay,” Delgado said.
She added that those who haven’t receive their financial assistance yet should have their names enlisted to receive their cash assistance.
“Yung mga hindi pa namin naihatid is ýung hindi talaga namin ma-clear ýung pangalan kung saan namin ihahatid saka wala na rin nakakakilala kaya nililista namin para ipost namin kung sino ang nakakakilala para maihatid din sakanila,” Delgado said.
Delgado also said that due to the outdated 2018 Census from the City Planning Office, they experienced a hard time on deliberating the recipients, adding to that, are the new settlers and residents who haven’t been listed yet.
The 2018 Census conducted by the City Planning Office, according to Delgado, served as the initial bases for the benefactors though a house to house enlistment has been launched, as well, in benefit of new residents and boarders within their jurisdiction.
According to Delgado, a total of 3,571 households were listed on the 2018 Census from the City Planning Office, a number which they estimated now to be doubled due to unlisted residents and boarders who resides in some numerous apartments, bed spaces and boarding houses within the barangay.
“Napakalaking deperensiya talaga sa ngayon kasi ngayon marami pa talagang wala. Ngayon, ang estimated number na natin ay nasa 5,300 households. Households pa lang ýun, wala pa dun ýung mga boarders at stranded dito sa barangay ngayon,” Delgado said.
A total quick response calamity fund amounting to P624,000 was initially allocated for relief goods such as rice, canned goods and noodles which was distributed to some residents last week, while another fund amounting to P507,000 is now being used to purchase thousand sacks of rice for the second batch of distribution.
“Ang una nating na-transact from the trust fund ay nasa P624,000 binuhos naming sa relief good ýun such as bigas, ýan na ýung naubos natin last week. Ito ngayong pangalawa, nasa P507,000 pero siyempre itong P507,000 supplier pa ito, mali-less pa nang 10% ito kasi supplier pa ito kagaya noong una, tuloy-tuloy ito puro bigas,” Delgado said.
When asked if the latter amount would suffice to accommodate the remaining recipients, Delgado said that they fear it would not, also be stating that they have not yet come up with any plans on how they would handle the situation in case the enhanced community lockdown will extend.”
Yun na nga ang iniisip namin kung masho-short at tumagal pa ang problemang ito, hindi na namin alam kung saan kami kukuha ng panibagong budget kasi last na itong transaction na ito sa barangay sa calamity, wala na kaming mapag-kukunan talaga,” Delgado said.
As of press time, Palawan Daily News is waiting for an official statement from the City Planning Office.
Palawan Daily News also asked if the local officials have started to give out any social amelioration cards needed for the distribution of P5,000- P8,000 Covid19 cash assistance to vulnerable sectors of society such as persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant mothers, solo parents, homeless persons and workers in informal sectors from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD will be giving out the cards to local government units (LGUs), which in turn will distribute them to the barangay levels for dissemination in order to aid vulnerable members of the barangay.
Though they’ve been aware, Delgado said that the barangay hasn’t receive any cards yet from DSWD also admitting that their office has been frequently visited by members of the informal sector asking about the financial assistance.
“Wala pa kaming natatanggap na form galing sa DSWD, tinanong namin ýung City Hall, wala pa rin daw silang natatanggap. Ang memo kasi na nakalagay is from DSWD national,”Delgado said.
Delgado said that they will announce once they received any instruction from DSWD. She added that they have been working to ensure that every household will receive their relief goods and cash assistance.
“Humihingi kami ng pasensiya sa aming mga ka-barangay. Ginagawa naming lahat ng paraan para mabigyan ang ating mga kababayan. Sa ngayon on-going pa din ang repack and distribution ng relief goods. Tuloy-tuloy yan araw-araw,” Delgado said.
Meanwhile, DSWD MIMAROPA spokeperson Chatty Decena on a phone interview Thursday with Palawan Dalily News said that a meeting has been conducted with other officials from both the DSWD national office and region regarding some amendments on the guidelines on applying for the cash aid.