PNP to be oriented on social amelioration distribution weeks after first being tapped by Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — Almost a month after they were first tapped, the national police is set to undergo orientation as they prepare to assist in the distribution of the second tranche of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's social amelioration program (SAP), their spokesperson confirmed.
In mid-May, President Rodrigo Duterte in a public address tapped the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines to distribute the SAP after several complaints were filed about the supposed misuse of funds by local executives, along with the slow distribution of aid in some areas.
At the time, Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said in a text message that the final details were still being finalized with the DSWD. In a separate statement sent to Philstar.com then, the PNP's public information office also confirmed that the 205,000 of the national police had been ordered by the chief executive himself to take part in the aid distribution efforts.
READ: PNP, AFP tapped to assist in social amelioration distribution
According to the PIO's most recent statement on Monday, the second tranche of SAP will be given to the entitled beneficiaries in the following areas:
- National Capital Region
- Region 3 except Aurora
- Region 4-A
- Benguet
- Pangasinan
- Iloilo Province
- Cebu Province
- Bacolod
- Davao City
- Albay Province
- Zamboanga City
"This will define and direct the PNP personnel’s role in assisting the DSWD in the management and distribution of cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries as well as the waitlisted families," the statement read.
Asked if the department had a timetable of the PNP's orientation and deployment, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a text message: "For the 2nd tranche payout, we started last week with the 4Ps cash cardholders. We shall start with the waitlisted this week."
No timetable on the military and police deployment has been provided as of this publishing.
READ: Government banks on 'discipline' as likely shift to GCQ nears | 'War' narrative in COVID-19 crisis fails to empower Filipinos, groups say
According to the chief executive's last weekly report on Monday, June 8, around 17.6 million out of the 17.9 million target beneficiaries of the program have been listed as served, though this figure does not include the additional 5 million households slated to receive cash assistance from the government.
Critics have noted the Duterte's administration has leaned heavily on military and police presence, while government agencies continue to call for the public's discipline and cooperation in flattening the coronavirus curve despite lapses in medical solutions and mass transportation.
With reports of inefficiencies and logistical lapses throughout the already-delayed first tranche of distribution, some of the country’s most vulnerable strata continue to lag behind, dispirited sans government support, months after the president was granted sweeping special powers.
RELATED: Duterte emergency powers intact despite Congress on break
The deadline for the social amelioration program's first tranche has been moved three times, with the second only just starting. Republic Act No. 11469, the law handing the chief executive special powers, prescribes handing out the cash and material aid for families most affected by the coronavirus lockdown.
This comes just days before the Bayanihan to Heal as One act expires June 25, though lawyers have also said that under the nation's charter, emergency powers under the law should have expired when Congress adjourned its session on June 5. — with reports from Prinz Magtulis
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the bill that grants him special powers to address the novel coronavirus outbreak in the Philippines. Bookmark this page for updates.
Strategies proposed by the inter-agency taskforce against the COVID-19 pandemic need the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says.
He made the statement after news of a shift to "granular" lockdowns that will be first implemented in the National Capital Region starting September 8.
The government should extend 'Bayanihan 2', the legislation intended to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akbayan says as it joins the call of labor groups SENTRO and NAGKAISA for an extension.
"Millions of Filipinos are still without work thanks to the pandemic. Add the fact that the country is under recession for the first time since the Marcos years, and it becomes imperative that the State step in and continue to provide aid," the party-list says.
"We echo the view that terminating Bayanihan 2 now will push more Filipino families towards hunger and desperation. The government must realize that without a sustained comprehensive economic aid plan, people will be forced to leave their houses to get food, medicine and supplies, which increases the risk of getting COVID. And with hotspots multiplying outside the NCR, extending Bayanihan 2 is not only logical, but necessary," it also says.
The government should increase efforts to inform people about the benefits of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 instead of threatening to jail those who refuse or telling them to leave the country, Akbayan says.
"Mr. Rodrigo Duterte cannot jail his way out of this pandemic. Neither can he expel COVID-19 by throwing out of the country Filipinos who are hesitant of the vaccines. It is both sad and ironic that in the middle of a catastrophe, the President is so quick to threaten to expel his own people, yet chooses to remain silent on Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea," Dr. RJ Naguit, Akbayan spokesperson, says in a release.
"The global health crisis is not simply a law and order problem. The virus cannot be contained by penal servitude. This is exactly the simplistic and violent approach that continues to divide this country, the idea that there are only two kinds of people, those who obey, and those who don't. There is far more to this crisis than that," he says.
The government has often used the "pasaway" narrative, saying people are stubborn and do not follow guidelines, to explain surges in COVID-19 cases and other issues related to the pandemic. This, despite top government officials being among those often seen flouting the same safety guidelines.
Face shields are no longer required when leaving home, the Palace says.
People will still need to wear face shields in public transportation, markets and indoor establishments.
This change in policy comes after President Rodrigo Duterte told senators that the face shields should only be worn in hospital settings.
Prior to the president's remarks, agencies, inlcuding the Palace had insisted on the use of face shields, claiming wearing them over face masks is almost as good as being vaccinated against COVID-19.
A total of 1,415 golf workers in Metro Manila have received cash aid from the DOT and DOLE as part of the Bayanihan 2 act.
The golf caddies, golf workers and employees in five major golf clubs in the capital region received almost P7.075 million.
“For the beneficiaries of the cash assistance program with us today, I hope that this amount can help you and your families in this difficult time," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat says.
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