Strict review of DSWD shelter aid listing urged

Camarines Sur provincial board member Nelson B. Julia has urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the 28th regular session of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan (SP) in the afternoon of Jan. 31, requested the DSWD to strengthen the selection and evaluation process of beneficiaries of its emergency shelter assistance program.

It will be recalled that Vilma Lim, DSWD Camarines Sur provincial action team leader during the session of the provincial board sometime in January, reported that her team still have to validate the 143,821 houses in the province, which are partially and totally damaged by Typhoon Tisoy.

Arnel Garcia, the DSWD’s Bicol regional director, told Bicol Mail that the expanded validation of the partially and totally damaged houses in the region is to ensure that the cash assistance will be given to the qualified persons.

Garcia explained that the expanded validation of the 419,671 houses in Bicol will prevent unqualified persons to take advantage of the assistance, once the Department of Budget Management (DBM) releases the funds.

Julia, in his speech during the session said complaints about palakasan system is one of the common problems in disbursement of the assistance to rightful beneficiaries, especially in the selection process of beneficiaires ,which is being exploited through political and family affiliations.

He said the validation in the selection process should determine the legitimate beneficiaries to ensure that the families living in partially or totally damaged houses brought by calamities shall receive the much needed assistance from the government.

“A more comprehensive post assessment process and combination of LGU (Local Government Unit) shall strengthen the ESA program to determine the beneficiaries have constructed and rehabilitated damaged houses” he said.

Julia’s motion requesting DSWD to undertake an enhanced selection and evaluation process of the beneficiaries of its Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program and a comprehensive post assessment of is program was approved by the provincial council presided by Board Member Romulo O. Hernandez.

Besides Camarines Sur, ESA beneficiaries in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes are also under the validation by the DSWD.