P38.7 million distributed to 6,465 'ineligible' SAP beneficiaries in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) called out at least 21 municipalities in Cebu province for listing 6,465 “unqualified” beneficiaries and distributing to them an estimated P38.7 million in funds under the Social Amelioration Program.

SAP granted a P5,000 to P8,000 monthly cash subsidy to low-income families for one or two months, depending on the area of residence. It sought to provide marginalized sectors of society the means to afford basic needs during the pandemic.

In 21 towns in Cebu, COA noted that some 6,465 beneficiaries of the P6,000 aid were found to be ineligible to receive the same. This translates to P38.7 million in public funds distributed to these supposed unqualified recipients.

Some 124 “ineligible” SAP beneficiaries were noted in the town of Alcantara, Bantayan (125), Boljoon (143), Badian (653), Borbon (446), Daanbantayan (862), Catmon (281), Malabuyoc (138), Medellin (71), Oslob (656), Moalboal (822), Poro (264), Samboan (238), Ronda (509), San Francisco (190), San Fernando (3), Sibonga (614), Sogod (121), Tabogon (19), Tabuelan (64), and Tudela (122).

COA said at least 6,000 individuals were not properly documented and lacked pictures, making the disbursements irregular.  The number was based on COA reports for 2020 which found irregularities in the distribution of SAP funds.

Violation

COA said the 21 towns violated the provisions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Memorandum Circular No. 09 or the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of the Emergency Subsidy Program.

Per guidelines, ineligibility shall pertain to families not qualified to receive emergency subsidy program as those families are specifically excluded, or families lacking in the elements of legitimacy and proof of authenticity, as required in the guidelines.

LGU officials who will give ESP (emergency subsidy program) to ineligible beneficiaries will be subjected to investigation by competent authorities for proper determination of administrative, civil and/or criminal liability, including refund of the subsidy improperly provided, as the case may be.

COA said that because of the violation, “this prevented the less privileged and deserving or indigent family of the most needed benefit.”

The state’s auditing body has instructed the town officials to provide supporting documents as proof that these individuals were indeed qualified to receive SAP funds.

It also directed the local officials to send demand letters to the ineligible beneficiaries to refund the amount they received.

DSWD-7 aid

In a separate development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has released a total of P3.5 million for 1,315 beneficiaries in Talisay City and in the towns of Borbon and Tabogon, Cebu recently for its cash-for-work program under the KALAHI-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services.

DSWD-7 Director Rebecca Geamala, who attended the payouts, shared with the beneficiaries the importance of positive thinking.

Geamala said that poverty should not be the reason to stop achieving their dreams as she challenged the local government units to participate in the different programs of DSWD in providing the needs of all sectoral groups, especially the marginalized.

The cash-for-work program is one of KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects that give recipients an opportunity to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic. It is a temporary employment that bridges the gap from the loss of income by families and individuals affected by COVID-19.

Paid laborers are required to work five to 10 days in the rehabilitation of purok centers, cleaning of roads, and river desilting.

Women beneficiaries were engaged in communal gardening, or the ‘Gulayan sa Barangay,’ to provide food security in the local supply chain.

In exchange for work, the beneficiaries received a minimum wage of P356 per day.

“Usa ko sa mga naapektuhan sa PUJ modernization kay wala ko’y igong kwarta sa pag-renew sa mga kinahanglanon aron makabyahe pag-usab. Apan tungod sa cash-for-work, nahatagan ko og higayon nga makatrabaho isip laborer (I am one of those affected by the PUJ modernization program because I do not have enough money to renew the requirements to be able to drive again. But cash-for-work has given me the opportunity to work as a laborer),” shared Ervin Brion of Brgy. Tagnucan, Borbon.

Josem Contreras, from Brgy. Manlagtang, Tabogon, was excited to receive the money so he can continue with his beauty business.

“Isip usa ka membro sa LGBTQ+ community, dako akong pasalamat sa cash-for-work program sa KALAHI-CIDSS. Ang akong hinagoan sa pila ka adlaw nga serbisyo, akong ipalit og mga gamit pag-manicure ug make-up aron mapadayon nako akong gamay nga negosyo (As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am very grateful to the cash-for-work program of KALAHI-CIDSS. My hard work for a few days of service will be able to help me buy manicure and make-up supplies so I can continue my small business),” Contreras said. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMD (FREEMAN)