Dole-outs clarified amid concerns of being politicized

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has underscored that the dole-outs provided to the public are government-funded, pushing back against concerns of political exploitation.

This was stressed by the Council in an executive session, through a resolution by Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., following conflicting opinions stemming from dole-outs, especially in livelihood programs.

During the session, processes of government-funded programs were laid out including the livelihood program of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

Portia Basmayor, DSWS officer-in-charge, said the program, which has been in place since 1993 have 36 barangays with 923 beneficiaries in the North District for the year 2024. For the South District, there are 695 beneficiaries in 24 barangays.

According to her, most of their beneficiaries come from the sectors of women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and others.

To determine eligibility, she added, some beneficiaries are recommended by barangay officials, Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons, and others.

The barangay then submits this list to the DSWS, which evaluates their qualifications. Upon evaluation, Basmayor said they conduct a business management orientation, followed by training handled by the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP).

“Depende na sa ilang need sa atong mga beneficiaries,” she said, referring to the kind of training they offer.

For the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), the DSWS currently has a record of 1,619 beneficiaries who were already assisted in 2024.

They were given P5,000 each, backed by a resolution from 2014. She added that this P5,000 serves as an investment. If the beneficiary can sustain and grow the business within the year, they will be reinforced with an additional P10,000.

When asked about the effectiveness of the scheme over the years, Basmayor admitted that they only began collecting data on those who received reinforced assistance in 2022.

For 2022, the DSWS distributed P10,220,000 to 1,881 beneficiaries; P9,750,000 in 2023 to 1,742 beneficiaries; and P9,075,000 in 2024 to 1,619 beneficiaries.

Basmayor, however, explained that once their respective businesses become sustainable enough, there is no third wave of financial assistance from the government.

For 2025, Basmayor said they are benchmarking an amount of P7 million to sustain the program.

Archival, however, noted that barangay officials are the ones determining the entitled beneficiaries.

Basmayor further explained that some beneficiaries are also identified by the DSWS, particularly those disqualified from the 4Ps list.

Basmayor also mentioned that city councilors can endorse lists of beneficiaries to the DSWS, which will then verify such list. She added that this is crucial in determining their qualifications for inclusion.

Archival stressed that although the program is commendable, the problem lies in monitoring.

In response, Basmayor said they conduct monitoring through house-to-house visits.

The council then sought the specific names of the beneficiaries.

“And then akong hangyo ninyo, ayaw ninyo butangi og botahi mi ha,” said Archival.

“Take note, that money is not the money of the mayor,” Archival stressed.

Presiding Officer Donaldo Hontiveros then emphasized that they only want to raise the request to prevent politicizing the dole-outs and to clarify that the assistance comes from the city government.

For 2025, Basmayor said there is a scheduled distribution, noting that it will be done quarterly.

In line with this, Archival emphasized that some portions of the funds could be distributed during the election season, covered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) exemption certification.

Basmayor, however, clarified that they will ensure this does not happen, adding that they will wait until after the election. Hontiveros pointed out that the discretion in deciding when to distribute the funds has always been with the executive, regardless of the council’s request.

“Mao lang na akong gitan-aw, and that we have to be very careful on this, because if you release that amount during the election, then you will have some problems,” Archival told Basmayor.

Arleigh Gesta, officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD), also said their livelihood initiative is through farm input distribution, noting that it isn’t cash-based. He mentioned that their enhancement projects, which are cash-based, are funded by the national government.

He added that the cash assistance can be loaned by the farmers.

Archival then reminded Gesta to monitor the dispersal of these financial schemes, including the results.  ATO (CEBU NEWS)