Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong

Baguio lone district Rep. Mark Go has asked Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong not to politicize the distribution of "ayuda" or government aid.

Go had this to say on Wednesday, Jan. 8 in reaction to Magalong's claim a few days ago that House of Representatives members enjoyed a "7-7-7 scheme" whenever they join the government’s financial assistance programs.

Magalong claimed that the Office of the House Speaker was supposedly facilitating the disbursement of government aid programs such as the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

“Hindi totoo ang sinasabi niyang ‘7-7-7’ (The 7-7-7 scheme that he's saying isn't true), AKAP, AICS, and TUPAD are national government programs of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. with well-defined processes and oversight mechanisms,” said Go.

“Ginagawa po natin ang ating trabaho para masiguradong may budget ang mga national programs para sa Baguio. Dapat supportive at nakikipag tulungan siya kapag naipaglalaban natin ang budget para sa Baguio City dahil tumutulong ito na guminhawa ang buhay ng mga higit na nangangailangan,” he said of the mayor.

(We're doing our job to ensure that the conduct of national programs in Baguio have a budget. He should be supportive and cooperative wherever we attain funds for Baguio City because it helps gives respite to those who need it most.)

In his recent statement, Magalong accused House members of receiving P7 million each whenever they join "sorties" for the purpose of distributing aid under either AKAP, AICS, or TUPAD.

He said that a congressman could theoretically get a total of P21 million if he or she participates in all three programs, ergo the 7-7-7 scheme. 

It should be noted that it is not within the House’s mandate to distribute aid under these programs. That task belongs to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for AKAP and AICS, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for TUPAD.

“Ang city government ay may social funds rin at alam ko na ginagamit niya rin ito para sa mga taga-Baguio. Supportive tayo dito,” Go said, again referring to Magalong.

(The city government also has social funds and I know that he also used this for Baguio residents. We are supportive of this.)

“Our role is limited in facilitating these government assistance programs, which are implemented strictly in accordance with the law and existing guidelines. Every peso is accounted for and used solely to benefit those in need," he said.

“These funds are not tied to any individual or office but are directly allocated to support our fellow Filipinos in need,” the congressman concluded.