ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) inked yesterday a memorandum of understanding that launches an independent fact-finding team to monitor the execution of and validate the concerns on the Emergency Shelter Assistance
(ESA) program for Typhoon Yolanda victims in Western Visayas.
“The fact-finding project is our Department’s response to the complaints that we have received including those that were raised through the media, regarding the implementation of ESA by the local government units,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said who witnessed the signing ceremony.
She added that the ultimate goal is “to ensure that the aid reaches the intended and rightful beneficiaries.”
DSWD-Field Office VI Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre and DILG-Field Office VI Director Atty. Anthony Nuyda signed the agreement that taps the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) to lead the independent fact-finding mission.
The forging of the MOU was also witnessed by Atty. Mariness Ledesma and Victoria Garchitorena who both represented UBAS. Atty. Ledesma is the executive director of the group. The group will start their investigation immediately in the province of Iloilo.
UBAS is a strategic partnership between the DILG, faith-based organizations and Liga ng mga Barangay to promote good governance and sustainable development in the grassroots level.
Atty. Ledesma explained that UBAS does not intend to build up cases but to improve the performance [of the implementors].
For her part, Dir. Macapobre affirmed that the Department “remains true to its commitment to transparency and accountability” in the administration of social welfare and development programs.
“We want to demonstrate that unbiased and concrete actions are being taken to address the criticisms on ESA,” she emphasized.
DSWD, DILG launch fact-finding on ‘Yolanda’ shelter aid
