DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will now assign the fifth round of the rice distribution to the barangays to the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) sector after receiving reports of irregularities on its implementation under the hands of barangay officials.
Duterte-Carpio, in a radio interview via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Friday, May 8, said that she has been receiving complaints from residents that barangay officials have failed to provide them with rice.
“Duna man gud tay recurring nga problema nga kung kinsa ray duol, amigo, kaila, mao ra’y tagaan. So, sa atong fifth round of distribution sa paghatag og bugas dinha sa mga baragay, atong gitanggal sa political structure (We have a recurring problem that the rice was given only to favorites, close friends, and acquaintances. So, the fifth round of rice distribution in barangays is out of the political structure),” the mayor said.
She, however, clarified that not all barangays in the city have erring officials. She added that most of the complaints were addressed to the purok leaders.
She said she is tapping the LGBT network in the city as she believes the sector understands how it is to be inclusive.
The mayor said it will be headed by Philippine Commission of the Urban Poor (PCUP) Commissioner Norman Baloro, and will prioritize individuals who had not received any government assistance such as the social amelioration program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), and the City Government ration goods and agri-food cards.
Duterte-Carpio also reminded them not to be biased with their fellow LGBT in the scouting of indigent individuals.
Baloro said on his Facebook post that the entire LGBT community in the city is thankful for the mayor’s trust and support amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic in the city.
“As relief distribution has been given near the lodge, you happen to think of our sector as best to man the distribution because of its dedication to spread inclusivity,” he said, adding they would be righteous and fair in selecting those who will be qualified in the rice assistance.
The City Government has distributed a minimum of 4,000 kilograms of rice to the 182 barangays which is allocated based on the barangay’s population.
Along with the ration goods, the rice assistance was augmented to affected households since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed in the entire city beginning April 2020.
(Avoid politics)
Duterte-Carpio reminded purok leaders to perform their task well as they are the ones knowledgeable of their community and avoid politics during this time of crisis.
This, she said after an incident involving a fixer in DSWD’s SAP distribution, which caught the mayor’s attention.
In a report by DXDC RMN Davao, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) arrested three female SAP fixers at Sitio Lower, Binugao, Toril in Davao City.
The fixers were arrested through a joint entrapment operation inside the Binugao Barangay Hall.
They will be charged for violation of Article 312 of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act (RA) 11469 or Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Mag remind ko sa atong mga purok leader. This is not the time para mangwarta ug palisdan nimo ang isig ka tawo. This is not the time na ipiton nimo ang kauban nimo dinha sa communities nga nanglisod tungod sa atong Covid-19 situation (I am reminding our purok leaders that this is not the time to extort money or give inconveniences to our constituents. This is not the time to make money and burden other people in your community amid the Covid-19 situation),” the mayor said.
She added, “Lahi ang politika, lahi ang government service. Dili lang ka para sa isa, sa duha o amigo nimo, kundi ikaw purok leader pud ka para sa imong kaaway (There’s a fine line between politics and government service. You are not only serving a certain people or acquaintances, but as a purok leader, you are also a servant even to your enemies),” Duterte-Carpio said.