Five Iloilo mayors told to explain SAP woes

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Iloilo Provincial Director Teodora Sumagaysay confirmed on May 26, 2020 that five town mayors in Iloilo were made to explain why they failed to meet the deadline for the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In an interview with Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, Sumagaysay said show cause orders were issued to Mayors Geefre Alonsabe of Alimodian, Ma. Lina Holipas of Leon, Carina Flores of Oton, Suzette Alquisada of Tigbauan, and Roquito Tacsagon of Tubungan.

The director said that the show cause orders were issued due to the non-compliance of the towns with the deadline for distribution of the SAP.

“We had a deadline for the distribution of the [SAP]. They were given until midnight of May 10, 2020. They were not told to distribute 100 percent [of the SAP] but the [DILG] was checking if the local governments have accomplished 80 percent to constituents. Those municipalities that had less than 80 percent were issued show cause orders,” she said.

The DILG had originally set the deadline for SAP distribution to April 30, however, it was extended upon appeal by many local government units.

Daily Guardian obtained a copy of the show cause orders which were sent to the governor.

The show cause orders did not indicate the findings on the compliance of the concerned local government units.

Sumagaysay said that the mayors had already been informed of the orders.

“[The mayors] already had an idea because they knew the parameters why they will be issued a show cause order. I also informed my Municipal Local Government Operations Officers to inform the mayors that anytime [on May 26] they will be receiving a show cause order from the governor,” she said.

The director said she had given a copy of the letter signed by DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.

Under DILG Administrative Order (AO) No. 267 s.1992, provincial governors have supervisory authority over municipal mayors.

“I gave a copy of the show cause orders to Governor Defensor because this was coursed through him by Undersecretary Densing. He will be the one to send this to the mayors. Undersecretary Densing invoked a DILG AO which states that the provincial governor had supervisory authority over the municipal mayors,” she said.

The mayors will be given 48 hours to submit an explanation written under oath to Undersecretary Densing.

She said the mayors can be charged for violation of Republic Act No. 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) if they cannot satisfactorily explain the delay.

Governor Defensor also told Daily Guardian that he had indeed received a copy of the letter.

Defensor refused to name the mayors as he wanted to give them a chance to explain to the DILG.