EDITORIAL - The other meaning of SAP

The distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) is already underway throughout the country. Along with the distribution came the order for the police to closely watch for any corruption that may happen during the distribution.

According to a report in this paper, Police Regional Office-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro has directed the different investigation units of the different police offices under him to be 'vigilant' in monitoring public officials who may take advantage of the situation.

"Especially during this time that the money being given to the poor among the poorest will surely go to the hands of the indigents, especially in the depressed area," Ferro said in the same report.

As citizens, it should also be our duty to alert the authorities to corruption in the distribution of relief goods or cash aid.

Giving out a huge amount of money to so many people in so many places in the country is a huge and complex endeavor; it will be so easy for confusion to happen here and there. This presents golden opportunities for officials with loose morals and sticky hands to get a little of the money meant for the poorest of the poor.

Cash going missing, or getting smaller in amount as it trickles down the help line is not the only thing that should be watched. As with the giving of aid, some officials are also choosy when it comes to who gets what.

Until now there are still reports of some officials selecting who gets aid, whether these are groceries, or money from the government. In fact, some of the more sarcastic observers have already given another meaning to SAP; “Suod Ang Panagaan”. Loosely translating to “only those close to them will be given.”

Why should we give a damn even if we aren’t affected? It’s because if we don’t replace unscrupulous officials who dip their hands into government coffers, or pick only their friends and supporters as beneficiaries, chances are it will still be these same unscrupulous officials who will be in charge when the next or an even bigger calamity comes along.