Sen. Ejercito calls for end to 'ayuda mentality'

Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Tuesday called the Senate’s attention to the “ayuda mentality” of Filipinos as it fostered a culture of dependency and mendicancy.

“I think we have more than enough social programs, these are all to help the poorest of the poor wala po tayong problema doon. But again, I would like to ask DOLE, DSWD, ano pong exit mechanism? Dapat meron pong paroroonan. We are spending billions here, wala itong return, talagang pamigay to, walang balik sa gobyerno, but it has to graduate somewhere,” Ejercito said during his privilege speech.

With the alarming cases of "ayuda scams" being operated by local politicians who allegedly deduct a "transaction" fee when releasing cash aid to beneficiaries, Ejercito said one of the ways to avoid such incidents was to revisit the role of social protection programs.

He said safeguards needed tightening so beneficiaries received what was due them. There was also a need to come up with time-bound exit mechanisms.

“I am not against helping the poorest of the poor, but I would like to invest more on the infrastructures, creating opportunities, and honest-to-goodness jobs, na talagang trabaho, hindi lang naka-asa. Because kapag tumagal ito, it’s already breeding a culture of dependency and mendicancy,” the senator said.

“Yung iba nga po sa mga barangay ayaw nang magtrabaho, nagaantay nalang ng ayuda. So ang ayuda mentality na po ang nangyayari and I am really concerned,” he added.

Ejercito also noted that strengthening the connection between welfare and work can help the people transition from receiving aid to employment.

Senator Joel Villanueva agreed with Ejercito.

“At the end of the day, we are sick and tired of giving ayuda. Importante pa rin yung mabigyan natin ng dignidad yung ating mga kababayan, dignity of work. Kung tayo po ay mamimigay ng isda, patuloy lang po tayong mamimigay ng isda at hindi natin matutulungan ang ating mga kababayan na matutong manghuli nilang isda,” said Villanueva. — DVM, GMA Integrated News