Davao solon filed bills to help poor folks, constituents

OVER 30,000 fishers, public utility drivers, and other marginalized folk were the key beneficiaries of the various projects and programs initiated or coordinated with the national government by Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte during his first three months in the 19th Congress.

Duterte has also filed 60 bills so far from July to September 2022, the most recent of which seeks to either raise the incomes of or provide economic relief to public school teachers, small farmers, freelance workers, and calamity victims, to name a few.

These include House Bill (HB) 4809, which aims to provide free and streamlined freight services in the transportation of relief goods to disaster-stricken areas; HB 4697, which seeks to institutionalize the grant of scholarships to public school teachers and educational assistance to their children pursuing college studies; and HB 3382, which mandates the national and local governments to purchase the produce of local farmers and other food producers for relief operations and school feeding programs.

Duterte’s recent legislative measures also aim to improve the dispensation of justice by proposing the creation of three additional municipal trial courts in Davao City (HB 3272); secure the country’s energy needs by promoting the development of the Philippine natural gas industry (HB 4097); and protect the rights and welfare of freelance workers (HB 3738).

From July to September of this year, a total of 8,160 fisherfolk and 5,799 drivers of public utility vehicles in Davao City who were thoroughly screened and assisted by Duterte’s office were able to avail of the emergency employment under the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker” (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Duterte’s office also closely coordinated with the labor department in granting TUPAD benefits to 923 street vendors.

“We had carefully profiled the TUPAD applicants to ensure that only those who deserve them are granted the benefits of the program. We are continuing to screen thousands of other applicants, especially those severely affected by the economic shock from the pandemic, to assist the DOLE in effectively implementing TUPAD in Davao City,” Duterte said.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a minimum period of ten days, but not to exceed 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

Duterte’s office provided scholarships and educational assistance to 802 students, while another 207 individuals have been granted free training programs from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from July to September of this year.

In partnership with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Duterte turned over five patient transport vehicles to improve the delivery of medical care to Davao City’s 1st district residents.

In his first three months, Duterte also initiated the construction of nine buildings to serve the needs of Davao City residents. These include evacuation centers, multipurpose buildings, and “Lamayan ng Bayan” buildings for the use of Davaoeños who cannot afford funeral services for their departed loved ones. Duterte’s office helped shoulder the funeral bills of the families of 1,737 deceased residents.

Duterte’s office also facilitated the grant of hospitalization and medical assistance at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City to 4,532 individuals, including Davao City’s indigent senior citizens. A total of 8,929 beneficiaries seeking treatment in private hospitals were provided medical assistance from June to September 2022.

From June to August of this year, Duterte extended aid to 204 families that were victims of flash floods and 710 individuals who lost their property to fire.

Duterte and his staff also distributed 102 wheelchairs and 1,514 food packs to 28 orphanages and homes for the aged from July to September.