A RESOLUTION seeking clarification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the non-released of the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in Bacolod City was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday, August 3.
Authored by Councilor Simplicia Distrito, the resolution is likewise asking DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo to release the SAP as soon as possible to those who are qualified but failed to receive the assistance.
Distrito said that at the onset of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the previous administration of President Rodrigo Duterte mandated the releasing of the SAP for those who were badly affected by the pandemic.
“Several complaints have been aired by our constituents who were qualified and identified as SAP beneficiaries but were not able to receive (the financial aid) until now,” she said.
She added that as public officials, they cannot give them a definite answer as to why they were not able to receive the assistance for more than two years already.
Distrito, chairperson of the city council committee on social services, disclosed that in line with the present direction of the new DSWD secretary to provide an excellent public service to the poor, vulnerable, marginalized and disadvantaged sectors in the society, it is necessary that a probe be conducted to once and for all resolve this issue for the benefit of the constituents.
Meanwhile, the City Council also approved a resolution requesting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to create a team that will study the possible renovation of the Bacolod City Library and the achieves to make it a person with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizen friendly in accordance with Republic Act No. 7442 or the Magna Carta for disabled persons.
Distrito, who authored the resolution, said the Bacolod City Public Library has existed for years and it has undergone drastic developments of its facilities with the establishment also of the Library Hub Project of the Department of Education (DepEd).
She said the city library and the city archives have been frequented by numerous students, researchers, writers, content-creators and bookworms from all over Bacolod which only shows how useful and important the City Library is to the lives the residents
“Based on observation, the current location of the city library and the Archives are not that accessible for our PWDs and senior citizens because they have to walk on a very steep spiral staircase, which, when you think about it, will be too hard and uncomfortable for them whenever they wanted to access the facility,” she added.
Distrito noted that many of the PWDs and senior citizens wanted to experience visiting a library or to read books, magazines, journals and newspapers, however, because of its present location they are discouraged to do the same.
“The City Government has been responsive to the needs of our PWDs and senior citizens and to further strengthen its commitment to them and show our consistency in upholding their rights and privileges, we have to take action about this by making our city library conducive also for them,” Distrito said.