SAN Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora yesterday denied allegations of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito that he abused his powers and politicized the distribution of assistance to San Juaneños affected by calamities or disasters.
In a radio interview, Zamora said City Ordinance No. 26, series of 2024, is intended to ensure the orderly and equal distribution of donations and safeguard the security of families staying in the city’s evacuation centers.
“Mandato ng bawat lokal na pamahalaan na siguraduhin na nasa ligtas at maayos na kalagayan ang bawat mamamayan nito. Ang mandato na ito ay lalong mahalaga sa mga panahon ng krisis o sakuna (It is the mandate of every local government to ensure the safety and well-being of of its people. This mandate is especially import during times of crisis or disasters),” Zamora said in a separate statement.
“Hindi naman ito politika. Hindi naman mahirap makipag-ugnayan sa lokal na pamahalaan (This is not politics. It is not hard to coordinate with local governments),” Zamora said in the radio interview.
He added: “Kung hindi sila makikipag-ugnayan sa lokal na pamahalaan, paano namin malalaman na ‘yang gusto nilang ipamahagi ay ligtas po sa ating mamamayan (If they will not coordinate with the city government, how can we guarantee that what they want to distribute will not endanger the health of the families)?”
Under the ordinance, all donations from private and public individuals, governments, or non-governmental organizations for disaster victims must first go through the Office of the Mayor for record and reporting purposes.
It also requires visitors or donors who wish to enter the evacuation centers to obtain an entry permit from the Office of the Mayor to ensure order in the evacuation site, as well as the safety of the evacuees.
Zamora said: “Ang nasabing ordinansa ay isang local na batas na ipinasa para siguraduhin ang kaayusan at kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan na nasa mga itinalagang evacuation centers natin (The ordinance is a local law that was passed to ensure the safety of San Juaneños staying in the city’s evacuation centers.”
He also said the curfew imposed in evacuation centers under the ordinance is necessary to ensure that donors do not just come at any time of the day and disturb the evacuees.
He stressed: “Ang ordinansang ito ay hindi ipinasa para pigilan o limitahan ang lahat ng nais tumulong, maging sino man sila. Bukas na po tayo dito. Welcome na welcome po ang lahat ng nais tumulong sa San Juan (The ordinance was passed not to control or limit those who would like to help San Juan, whoever they are. We are open to any help. Everyone is welcome to help San Juan).”
Estrada on Monday took to social media to slam a provision in the ordinance that requires donors — private or public — to coordinate with the Office of the City Mayor prior to the distribution of any forms of assistance to evacuated families.
He likewise hit the P5,000 fine to be imposed to violators of the city government’s rules.
Calling the ordinance ridiculous and unreasonable, Estrada said: “Where would you see this type of order that those who have a good heart and want to sympathize with the needy can still be fined if they don’t go through the Office of the Mayor first?”
Ejercito, in a statement yesterday, hit the San Juan City government for coming up with “controlled” guidelines for giving donations to victims of calamities and disasters.
Ejercito the provisions of the ordinance would discourage anyone who would want to help the people of San Juan.
“The decision to penalize those who only wanted to help is unjustified and a clear form of abuse of power,” he said.
“Mariin kong tinututulan ang City Ordinance No. 26, Series of 2024 ng local government ng San Juan dahil malinaw na nagpapakita ito ng pagiging vindictive at ng political agenda. Nakakabahala na pati ang tulong para sa ating mga kababayan ay gustong kontrolin ng mayor. Ang tulong ay dapat laging bukas at walang anumang uri ng manipulasyon (I strongly oppose City Ordinace No. 26 Series of 2024 of the San Juan City government because it clearly shows vindictiveness which is marred with political. It is worrisome that they will penalize our countrymen who want to help. Any form of assistance should always be welcome and that they should not be manipulated),” he said.
He added: “Hindi katanggap-tanggap na haluan ng politika at pagka benggador ang pagbibigay ng ayuda para sa mga taga San Juan (These kind of guidelines in giving donations are unacceptable, they reek of politics and vengeance). San Juaneños deserve better.”
He said imposing a fine of P5,000 for violators will only discourage individuals or groups from donating to San Juan City.
He said the city government should instead consider the welfare of the residents affected by calamities and disasters and not advance personal interests.
“Huwag harangin ang ayuda sa panahon ng sakuna para sa ating mga kababayang San Juanenos — ito’y dapat laging mabilis at walang kinikilingan ang pagbibigay niyo (Do not discourage donations in times of calamities and disasters affecting the people of San Juan. This should be done in a speedy manner, and should be equitable),” he said. — With Raymond Africa
