More than 1,000 employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VII from regional office and provincial offices have been deployed across the region to validate the beneficiaries of its emergency cash aids under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

Under Memorandum Circular No. 09, Series of 2020, the Department is responsible for the conduct of SAP validation within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the documents that support LGUs’ completion of the distribution of the emergency subsidy.

“We are assigned to do the validation to avoid bias and ensure transparency of data,” explained Regional Director Rebecca P. Geamala.

The threat of COVID-19 has not deterred the employees in performing their tasks.

Ms. Joan Culanculan, community facilitator assigned in Tabuelan, Cebu shares her experience during validation.

“Usa sa struggle namo sa validation kay ang gilay-on sa mga balay. Tungason pa sa bukid unya naay usahay nga inig adto namo kay walay tawo sa balay, so balikon nasad namo inig ugma para ma-validate gyud ang maong pamilya (One of our struggles during validation is the distance from one house to another especially in the far-flung and mountainous areas. There are instances that when we get there, nobody is at home. So, we need to go back the next day to validate the family).”

Meanwhile, Ms. Sharon Escabarte, area coordinator of Kalahi-CIDSS assigned in Antequera, Bohol expressed, “As DSWD staff, we are trained to be flexible in our job. Most of us are not social workers but we have one goal as of this moment – to be of service to the poor and vulnerable sector. The validation is tiring but when you see the faces of deserving beneficiaries, the exhaustion and struggles are all worthwhile.”

As of May 20, 2020, there are 200 families reported to be ineligible and 47 families have duplicated assistance received from the Province of Cebu and Negros Oriental reported to be ineligible of SAP. ###

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