Congress to probe shelter aid distribution in Daanbantayan

CONGRESS will look into reports of alleged anomalies in the distribution of the national government’s Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) for Yolanda survivors in northern Cebu, Provincial Board (PB) member Sun Shimura said.

He said 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon told him an inquiry would be made.

No date was given but  Shimura said the inquiry would start before the year ends.

Shimura said he received a three-inch-thick compilation of affidavits from residents of Daanbantayan town, detailing their complaints on the ESA distribution.

He said these residents claimed that they were made to sign a paper confirming that they received P30,000 but they only received P20,000.

Earlier this year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) allocated P2.1 billion in shelter assistance to Cebu.

Daanbantayan, one of the worst hit towns in the province by Yolanda in 2013, received P425 million.

Shimura said he will discuss the matter with his colleagues during the caucus next Monday.

Corro said has nothing to worry about if Congress should look into the distribution of the ESA in his town.

“I handled the aftermath of Yolanda very well and I am proud to say it,” he told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview yesterday.

Out of P425 million, P263 million has been distributed to 10,599 beneficiaries.

He said the municipal government is still validating the rest of the beneficiaries because not all  in the list are qualified recipients.

Those with damaged houses will receive P10,000 while those whose homes were destroyed will get P30,000.

With P162 million left in the town’s ESA, Corro said this will be more than “good enough” for another 8,000 beneficiaries.

Corro said he is taking his time because he doesn’t want to violate rules.

He also denied allegations of unjust distribution, saying he was even cited by the DSWD for best practices in the distribution earlier this year.