Teachers ask for the same aid DSWD-7, 9 mayors told to enlighten PB on ESA

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has invited the regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 and nine mayors in the fourth district to appear during its regular session on Monday.

The PB wanted the agency to discuss with the body the emergency shelter assistance (ESA) for the typhoon Yolanda victims.

Board Member Sun Shimura, who represents the fourth district in PB, sponsored the resolution inviting DSWD-7 director Mercedita Jabagat and the mayors of the towns of Tabuelan, San Remigio, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Santa Fe, Bantayan, Madridejos, Tabogon and the city of Bogo to the session.

Shimura said his constituents who are recipients of the ESA have encountered “difficulty” in availing the assistance due to the “new” guidelines.

“There have been countless grievances pertaining to the above-mentioned matter (ESA),” Shimura stated.

In a separate interview, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he will appeal to the DSWD to review its guidelines, pointing out one of the provisions that excluded government employees with monthly income of more than P15,000 from availing the typhoon aid.

Davide suggested that DSWD should also consider those typhoon survivors who are entitled to receive the ESA despite earning beyond the income ceiling set by the guidelines.

 “Kadtong nahitabo gud, patas man tanan mapobre or madatu naguba man g’yod ang mga balay. Even those who can afford nga P15, 000 beyond (income), they also suffered damage sa ilang balay. Mahimo tingale nga unahon to ang P15,000 below paghatag afterwards na ‘tong P15,000 pataas,” he told reporters.

Yolanda victims whose houses were “partially damaged” are entitled to receive P10,000, while those whose houses were destroyed will get P30,000.

Medellin teachers on aid

In Medellin town, schoolteachers who are also victims of the super typhoon have pleaded to be included as beneficiaries of the ESA.

The teachers, in their letter dated March 8, 2015 addressed to Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, through DSWD liaison officer Jonathan Rosette, raised their “motion for consideration” in order to receive the assistance.

“The teachers of this municipality had experienced the wrath of ‘Yolanda’, similarly as those of the said recipient described in the alleged guidelines,” read the letter.

The teachers said they should be given the same privilege as other Yolanda victims.

“We are faithful taxpayers, citizens of this republic, registered voters, and resident of this municipality during the trying times of Yolanda,” they further said.

Ramirez said the appeal should have been addressed to DSWD.

“We only serve as the conduit of those funds that were downloaded to us. This is a task that we loathe to do but since it is a lawful order from higher authorities then we have no choice but to follow,” he said.

Ramirez also criticized the Department of Education headed by Secretary Armin Luistro who has been “so callous and insensitive to the problems” and for “lack of empathy on the plight of his teachers and schools” in the aftermath of  Yolanda’s fury.

“If not for the private sector, our schools would not have been fixed at all as I write this but what really saddens me is the lack of assistance extended to the countless teachers who lost their homes or had damaged houses to live in due to the super typhoon but still managed to go on and hold classes even under very difficult situations,” the mayor said. — (FREEMAN)