13 hurt in Barili 4Ps stampede

CEBU, Philippines - A stampede marred the distribution of the Pantawid Pangkabuhayang Pampamilya Program (4Ps) in Barili yesterday where more than 10 beneficiaries were injured.

Political differences between Mayor Teresito Mariñas and Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia were blamed for the incident.

It was the sixth time of the distribution to more than 3,000 beneficiaries, usually held at the gym by the Department of Social Weldare and Development (DSWS) 7 as the implementing agency.

This time, the DSWD commissioned the CFI Community Multi-purpose Cooperative in the distribution with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Mariñas expressed doubt why the payout was held at Barangay Guibuwangan yesterday, giving confusion to the beneficiaries.

“Nganong ibalhin man sa layo nga naa may duol.Makaduda na ngano man gyud, what’s the motive behind?” Mariñas asked.

He suspected somebody gave the orders to CFI which is chaired by Vice Mayor Garcia’s mother, retired judge Esperanza Garcia.

Incidentally, the Garcias led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia distributed financial assistance at the barangay Guibuwangan gym yesterday.

Mariñas said that the DSWD staff did not go to Guibuwangan per instruction of their regional office, although the vice mayor said the distribution pushed through.

Former Vito barangay captain Vicente Villarin said that at the municipal gym, panic ensued when an unidentified person shouted that there was a bomb, which triggered the stampede.

Villarin said that nine injured were brought to the rural health center and four were brought to Barili District Hospital.

He identified the four as Cita Alier of barangay Bulao, Vanesa Villaver of Giloctog, a certain Epifania of Minolos and unidentified one from Pangpang.

When checked, rural health officer Mary Joy Bajarias denied there were injured persons brought to them except a 22-year-old who has just given birth and fainted.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Cristina Giango who was at the town also said that there was only one beneficiary of 4Ps who was sent to the district hospital for fainting probably because of hunger.

Vice Mayor Garcia denied their family had a hand in the incident saying it is a national project which Mariñas tried to appear as his. He said that there were two occasions when Mariñas spoke before the beneficiaries.

Garcia said that CFI already have started distributing the cash assistance when the mayor allegedly stopped it upon learning that it was held at barangay Guibuwangan gym.

“Di gyud unta ni mahitabo kung dili manghilabot si mayor aning 4Ps, ngano moporma man gyud siya’g 4Ps, siya’y tag iya ani?” Garcia said. (This would not have happened had the mayor stayed away from this. Does he own the 4Ps?) 

Mariñas admitted he spoke during the distribution because he was asked to give remarks and he only thanked President Benigno Aquino III for the program for the poor.

“Unsa may pamolitika diha, mayor man sad ko, wa man ko manaut, wa man ko manira,” he said. (I’m the mayor and politics has nothing to do with this.)

Garcia said that it is the DSWD itself who said that there shall be no political figure when distributing the 4Ps, which a social worker staff has confirmed.

The said staff who asked for anonymity confirmed the stampede as she was also among those who got injured.

She said they will still distribute even for those who just went home after the incident because it is intended for them. - THE FREEMAN