THE Kasama sa Pagbabago Inc. (KPI) would like to bring to your attention the numerous complaints flooding our organization and network members concerning the reported selective cash distribution of DSWD under its social amelioration program, some of its personnel allegedly in connivance with barangay officials.
Prior to this, we have also been lodged with information about alleged irregularities and discriminatory conduct of a number of barangay officials in the distribution of food packs. A lot are still without food packs.
If all or most of these complaints are factual, then we can only surmise that the President’s call for easing the mass with the burden due to ECQ is falling on deaf ears due to the deeply corrupt system of our local government units. In this regard, we call on the above offices and institutions to immediately conduct a realistic field assessment of the ways the national government food and cash assistance are delivered by the local government units.
We also strongly suggest that you allocate enough budget to secure thousands of testing kits as soon as possible and conduct mass testing in every barangay as rapid as possible so we can determine the extent and deep of Covid contamination.
Unless this is done, we shall remain blind in our fight versus Covid. We also strongly suggest that a centralized system of monitoring of assistance be set up to determine both good and corrupt practices, and assess also the preparedness of our national and local officials vis a vis management of this Covid crisis to draw lessons for future responses.
Thank you and let’s keep safe at all times.
Kasama sa Pagbabago Inc. (Negros Chapter)
(KPI is a national development organization and a network of citizens groups and social movement advocating sustainable, resilient communities, and empowered citizens in governance. We shall be glad to assist LGUs in whatever way we can to ensure no citizen is left out and good governance is pursued amid this crisis.)