Bong Go lauds Filipinos who returned Covid aid

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has commended honest Filipinos who returned cash assistance from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), even as he asked government agencies to account for every peso spent for coronavirus disease 2019 ( Covid-19) aid.

“Despite the hardship affecting practically everyone because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there are still individuals who were honest enough when they chose to return cash assistance received due to duplication or return doubled emergency financial assistances in favor of those who have not received assistance during the crisis,” said Go, chairman of the Senate Health and Demography committee.

Recently, two individuals from Las Piñas City returned their cash aid after learning that their employer had already filed for financial assistance through the Social Security System.

“Malakingbagaypoangpagiging tapat nila.Dahil doon, ang peranaibinaliknilaaymapupunta tulong (Because of their honesty, the money they returned will be given to other persons who are in need of the assistance),” the senator said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has identified 18 million low-income families to receive financial assistance through the SAP.

The DSWD said it had so far distributed the financial grant to 16.1 million beneficiaries amounting to P90.5 billion.

Throughout the distribution process, there have also been reports of honest beneficiaries who received and returned the cash aid because of duplication of assistance from other programs of government.

Go took the opportunity to urge Filipinos to follow the example of these honest Filipinos as a way of demonstrating integrity and bayanihan (unity) during this difficult time, adding that if individuals receive duplicate emergency cash grants, they should report and return them to their respective local government units.

“For every honest Filipino, another Filipino family, which needs help is saved. Kaya kung nakatanggappokayongdobleng ayuda, pakiusap ko lang po na ibalik niyo (If you have received double cash assistance, please return them). Honesty will go a long way. The more we help each other, the faster we will overcome this crisis caused by Covid-19,” he said.

Go also urged agencies to account for every peso distributed and spent, adding that utmost transparency is important, especially now that the government is prioritizing the distribution of various forms of assistance to affected Filipinos.