Yolanda aid list manipulated – teachers

CEBU, Philippines- Some teachers in northern Cebu are accusing the Department of Education-Cebu Province Division of manipulating the official list of beneficiaries receiving financial aid for Yolanda-affected government workers.

 Jigger Opura, president of the Secondary School Teachers Association in Medellin town, said at least 13 teachers, including him, were delisted from the list without a “clear and concrete” explanation.

 In Medellin National High School alone, only nine of 20 teachers were approved to receive the aid.

 Other public school teachers in the town were also allegedly removed from the list, one each from Curva National High School and Gibitngil Integrated High School and two from Almacen-Torrevillas National School.

 Earthquake and typhoon victims whose houses were destroyed and need major repairs were qualified to receive P100,000 in cash, while those whose houses were partially damaged were entitled P30,000.

 Those who are entitled to receive the aid will get 50 percent of the total assistance three months after the completion of requirements, like the memorandum of understanding between the DepEd Cebu Province Division and the beneficiaries.

 The remaining amount will be released once the beneficiary is able to liquidate the initial amount granted.

 Opura said they complied with the all requirements and wondered why they were excluded as beneficiaries.

 “Naa mi sa first list pero nakalit lang ang among pangalan natangtang. Ngano nawagtang mi sa final list?” he asked.

 The Freeman tried to get the side of Cebu Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Arden Monisit but to no avail.

 Opura said they received unconfirmed reports that there will be a second round of distribution, which will include the teachers who were delisted.

 He said they are wondering if they will ever receive the aid promised to them.

“The assistance took about two years before ma-distribute sa kunuhay first batch. Kun naay second batch when would be given to us victims? Gipalangay langay ra ang aid ug gi-interesan lang ang kwarta” he said.

The guidelines, signed by PMS Secretary Julia Andrea Abad, was released January 7, 2014 or two months after Yolanda. It directed heads of all national government agencies to submit to PMS a list of their employees affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in October 2013 in Regions 6 and 7, as well as those affected by the super typhoon the following month in Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11.  (FREEMAN)