Isasama na umano sa mga qualified sa Social Amelioration Program ang pamilya ng mga barangay tanod at mga barangay health workers sa buong bansa.
Sinabi ni DILG USec. Jonathan Malaya, naglabas ng memorandum si DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista kung saan inaprubahan na nito ang rekomendasyon ng DILG na isama na rin ang mga barangay frontliners sa SAP Program.
“Marami pong salamat to DSWD Secretary Bautista for approving the recommendation of the DILG and for listening to the appeal of our village workers for them to be also given financial aid given to those affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic,” wika ni Malaya.
Ayon pa kay Malaya, hindi mga regular employees ang mga barangay tanod at health worker ngunit nakatatanggap sila ng allowance mula sa barangay, sang-ayon sa rate na nakadepende pa sa pinansyal na kapasidad nito.
“Therefore, since they only receive allowances, they are sub-minimum wage earners which refers to any person who earns a wage below the prescribed minimum wage,” ani Malaya.
“Karamihan po sa ating mga tanod at health workers ay head of the family and they only receive more or less P1,000 as allowance from the barangay. Since they are below the poverty line, they should be included among those to be given SAP, subject to the proper screening of the DSWD,” dagdag nito.
Bilang mga frontliners din aniya kontra sa COVID-19, nararapat lamang din na kilalanin ng pamahalaan ang sakripisyo ng mga barangay workers.
“The BHWs compose our BHERTS (Barangay Health Emergency Response Team), they are our first responders. The Tanods implement the quarantine in the community. It is just right that they be given financial assistance since they are there in the frontlines together with our police, firemen, LGUs, and medical professionals,” anang opisyal.
Samantala, maaaring maghain ng apela sa municipal o city social welfare and development officer ang mga hindi napasama sa listahan ng mga benepisyaryo sa barangay pero may mababa o walang kinikita, at walang independent financial capability.
