THE country’s less fortunate individuals may have mismanaged the governmental payouts provided to them.
This was the observation of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter ‘Sr Pedro’ M. Unabia, who acknowledged that his biggest challenge as a public servant is the fight against poverty.
On Friday’s Employees’ Night at the Capitol ground in Cagayan de Oro City, Unabia claimed that the province ― in its concerted effort to reduce poverty rates to a single digit ― has at least curved it down to 16.1 percent from 18.1 percent in the first quarter last year.
“I encourage you all to be with me in our fight against poverty and in promoting livelihood programs. If we want to go far, we shall work together,” said Unabia, amid the festivity of giving raffle cash to the lucky Capitol employees.
However, in a separate interview, Unabia averred that Misamis Oriental has areas where many families still face economic difficulties, and addressing it is a difficult endeavor.
He cited the municipality of Naawan as a case study during the recently held AKAP, otherwise known as Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, where the behavioral challenge is manifested in handling the monetary blessings.
Unabia said that it has been reported that days after the payout as mentioned earlier, the gross sales for small town lottery (STL) in Naawan had also correlatively increased based on the records, such as:
On September 10, 2024- Php 81, 352.00,
On September 11, 2024- Php 86, 324.00,
On September 12, 2024- Php 130, 515.00, and
On September 13, 2024- Php 145, 845.00.
Unabia explained that under the foregoing record, this statistical correlation between the scheduled pay-out and the increase in STL in the municipality of Naawan indicates that the people may have mismanaged the governmental payouts that were provided to them.
Rather than utilizing the funds for their basic needs, Unabia said that they may have invested them in the small town lottery (STL).
“Again, this is one of the instances wherein the people’s behavioral challenge was being manifested. Hence, it has always been the challenge for me, to make a swift yet prudent decision to address the unexpected turn of events in dealing with poverty,” Unabia said.
Provincial Board member Gerardo ‘Boboy’ Sabal III commended the governor’s effort that he even went to the extent of personally monitoring the condition of families in abject poverty at the remotest barangays through his so-called Adopt-A-Barangay Program.
Now in his last term, Sabal cited the less-visited Barangay Tama in the municipality of Magsaysay where poverty-related challenges such as teenage pregnancy and illiteracy are prevalent.
“Lisod kaayo ma reach out tungod sa kalayo ug ka-remote, apan nag-effort gyod si gov nga makita personally ang condition sa mga lumolopyo sa barangay. Tama aron kini maapil sa atong livelihood programs ug ma address ang mga problema nga ilang gi-atubang,” Sabal told Gold Star Daily.
