Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) banned all government officials from putting their names and photos onto the COVID-19 relief aids for those affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they had received reports that some barangay officials are putting their names on the envelopes, which will be used in the cash aid distribution from the national government.
“Hindi po ito panahon ng pamumulitika, panahon po ito ng public service,” he told DZMM. “Naglabas na rin po si Secretary [Eduardo] Año ng kautusan sa ating mga LGU na walang epal, walang pangalan, walang picture at hayaan ang mga barangay na i-handle nang tama ang paglalabas ng ayuda.”
(This is not the time for politics, this is the time for public service. Secretary Año has released an order to our LGUs that they cannot put names, pictures and that they should let barangays handle the aid distribution.)
The Anti-Epal Law of 2016 prohibits and penalizes government officials who habitually post their names and faces on government projects funded with taxpayers’ money.
EPAL is a street word for “mapapel”, a Filipino term for attention grabbers, scene stealers – mostly used for persons who take credits for something they didn’t deserve.
Also read: Vico Sotto to NBI: ‘Please stop and think’
How to Avail DSWD Social Amelioration Package
Malaya said barangay officers need to submit a list of the most impoverished families in their area that will receive the cash aid on top of food packs. The list is “subject to vetting and approval” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Step 1
Local Government Units will distribute Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms to their constituents. It will be done on the house to house basis.
Step 2
The head of the family writes their information on the SAC form (two copies). Details of the information should be complete and be written in capital letters.
Step 3
Submit the one copy of the SAC form to the LGU once they go back to your house and keep the other copy for your reference and monitoring.
Step 4
DSWD and other government agencies will distribute financial aid through the LGUs.
Remember that the SAC form is a validation tool only that aims to identify those who need immediate help.