Angry residents disrupt social amelioration forms distribution in Binan, Laguna

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) halted the distribution of social amelioration forms in Binan, Laguna after several angry residents complained of not being included in the list of beneficiaries of the cash aid.

According to John Consulta's exclusive report on 24 Oras, the residents from the coastal barangay of Malaban aired their gripes against the DSWD's selection process.

"Sasabihin si Aling Maria lang, eh kapitbahay namin, bago kami hindi mabibigyan. Aba, sobrang sakit nu'n, diba? Wala naman ho kaming ibang pinagkukuhanan," a resident said.

"Oo, lockdown, ang tagal-tagal, biruin mo mag-iisang buwan na, hindi kami makapaghanapbuhay ng araw-araw," she added.

Another resident, meanwhile, complained that everyone was affected by the enhanced community quarantine and should get assistance.

Out of 14,000 households in the barangay, only 6,000 were given slots for the program, according to the report.

A personnel, however, said that authorities are still looking for alternative ways so all households in Binan will be given financial assistance.

"Naghahanap pa ho tayo ng mga alternatibo kung papaano ang lahat household, lahat ng pamilya sa lungsod ng Binan ay mabigyan natin," the personnel said.

"Kaya lang ang problema ho ang nagdedesisyon po dito ay national government, hindi si Mayor Arman," he added.

To avoid chaos, authorities temporarily took back the forms in Barangay Malaban.

For its part, the Binan City government has written to the national government to appeal for additional help for households who were not selected.

However, should an additional fund be out of the question, Binan Mayor Arman Dimaguila suggested that the fund could be divided among every family in Binan.

"Pagsamahin na lang natin, i-divide natin sa three, and every family -- hindi po household no -- every family sa Binan ay makakatanggap ng P4,300," Dimaguila said.

"Sa P4,300, P1,500 isang kabang bigas. Meron ka pa'ng P2,800. Baka naman makatulong na ito, no?  . . . Pero 'yung challenge na pipiliin mo lamang, samantalang umasa na lahat, magkakagulo 'to," the mayor added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News