Ormoc gov’t lauded for orderly release of ESA

City Administrator Francis Pepito attributes the success of the ESA distribution to the priority given to it by Mayor Ondo Codilla. (Photo by Joseph Levi Sausa)

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development lauded the orderly distribution of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) in Ormoc. Regional Director Nestor D. Ramos sent a monitoring team to the city on the first week of the distribution and noted the systematic procedure put in place by the local government unit (LGU).

The distribution was so fast that the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) was able to serve five barangays in just four days namely RM Tan, Libertad, Lao, Mas-in and San Juan. It released a total of P35,511,178.25 to 3,275 beneficiaries. Nag-monitor mi sa distribution ninyo since last Monday,” Ramos said. “Hapsay kaayo ang paghatag ug walay complaint.”

Next week, the CTO targets to serve four barangays on Monday, June 22 alone. These are Mabato, Nueva Sociedad, Airport and Green Valley. City Administrator Francis Pepito attributes the activity’s success to the priority given to it by Mayor Edward "Ondo" Codilla.

Despite having the highest number of beneficiaries, Ormoc is the first from among the batch of LGUs that simultaneously received the ESA funds including the nearby towns of Albuera, Merida, Matag-ob and Villaba. “Nag-una ta kay gi-prioritize gyud kini ni mayor,” Pepito said. “Grabe ang suporta ni mayor, everyday naa siya diha nag-monitor [sa pagpanghatag],” he went on. “Ang atong mga [department heads] puros nag-overtime para lang mututok niana.”

Commenting on reports of unqualified beneficiaries who were able to claim the ESA, Pepito called on the public to identify the culprits. “Mao gani nga malipay mi nga naay mu-approach namo nga musulti ana nga information para mao nay atong sampolan dayon,” he said.

“So far sa among assessment sa miaging nga mga barangay mura’g daghan sad ang wala mudawat [sa kuwarta], kdtong dili entitled. Nakasabot man gyud sila [nga dili sila puwede mudawat],” he explained. “Pero kahibalo mi nga naa gyud [makalusot]. Kana pangilad man na so puwede na silang kihaan.”

Pepito pointed out that he is serious in going after unqualified claimants because the mayor wants to give the excess funds to qualified beneficiaries who were excluded in the master list. This can be done, Ramos said, as long as Codilla submits a proposal to his office to avoid post-audit problems.