REP. FRANCISCO GAMBOA DATOL, JR.
SENIOR CITIZEN Party-list
Chair, Special Committee on Senior Citizens
One of House Authors, (RA 11429) Bayanihan to Heal As One Act
09177292437 | https://www.facebook.com/NewsWithSense/
Seniors die waiting for SAP
USE DOOR-TO-DOOR DELIVERY SERVICES FOR SAP CASH GRANTS TO SENIORS, PWDs
[Cut the red tape now and stop milking the COVID-19 crisis for political points]
Local government units, especially those in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Cebu, and Davao should lighten their logistical burdens by distributing the SAP cash aid with the help of remittance outlets with door-to-door delivery.
"Matagal na dapat natapos ang distribusyon ng SAP kung ipinaubaya nila sa door-to-door carriers ang ayuda lalo na iyong para sa seniors, retirees, at PWDs," Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Francisco Datol said on Saturday.
"Maiiwasan ang sakuna at abala sa seniors kung ipinadeliver na lang nila door-to-door ang ayuda. Mayroon naman silang senior citizen IDs at rehistrado sa city hall o munisipyo, kaya madali nilang mapapatunayan na sila ang dapat na beneficiary," Datol added.
The congressman said the death of the senior, Sonny Candelara, 62, who succumbed to a heart attack in Marilao, Bulacan while waiting in line for the SAP cash grant was "totally avoidable and deplorable".
Gualberto Hurtado, 84, suffered from stroke and died while waiting for SAP grant in Bacolod City.
In Masbate, Avelino Caliwan, a senior citizen, so dismayed that he was not included in the DSWD’s recipients list, suffered stroke too. Good that he is still alive but his suffering could have been avoided.
"Local officials cannot deny or absolve themselves because their poor actions contributed to the hardship and untimely death of the senior. The blood of the senior is on their hands," Datol said.
"We have daily temperatures above or near 40 degrees this summer. It is unconscionable of the local officials to let the elderly walk, commute, and wait in line in that hot weather," he also said.
"Cut the red tape now and stop milking the COVID-19 crisis for political points," Datol demanded. (END)