“Walang tao, kahit sino man, kandidato o hindi kandidato, na gawing biro ang pagdurusa ng kapwa tao lalung-lalo na pag galing sa bulnerableng sektor, yung mga persons with disabilities, solo parents, at matatanda.”
This was the firm statement made by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian during his guest appearance in the second episode of the teleradyo program, ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ on Saturday (April 5) aired over DYPM Radyo 630.
The DSWD chief made the remark in response to the question of host and veteran broadcast journalist Alvin Elchico about the trending video of a local candidate joking about solo parents during a campaign sortie.
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized that the election discourse should focus more on serving the public and not to make fun of anybody’s suffering.
“Ang eleksyon tungkol sa ano pa ba ang magagawa mo sa taong bayan, ano ang serbisyong handog mo. Hindi ito tungkol sa biro-biro lalong-lalo na pag pinagbibiruan mo ay yung mga may mga dagok na sa buhay,” Secretary Gatchalian told the program anchors.
The agency chief pointed out that it is the mandate of the DSWD to advocate for the social protection and welfare of vulnerable sectors.
“Ang DSWD, para sa kaalaman ng lahat, there’s more to us than AICS, than AKAP, and 4Ps. Social protection ang aming mandato, protecting the poor, yung mga mahihirap, yung marginalized, at yung vulnerable…bahagi iyan ng social protection. Dapat namin i-condemn yan at siguraduhin na gawin ang trabaho para huwag nang maulit,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ is anchored by veteran anchor Alvin Elchico together with Information Officer Bianca Piedad-Tamondong of the DSWD’s Traditional Media Service (TMS). It airs every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon at DYPM Radyo 630. (AKDL)
Tagalog Version
DSWD chief hinimok mga local candidates na huwag gawing biro mga bulnerableng sektor gaya ng solo parents
Hinimok ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang mga local candidates para sa May 12 elections na itaas ang antas ng kanilang pangangampanya at iwasan na gawing biro at maliitin ang mga taong hirap sa buhay o yung mga taong nabibilang sa bulnerableng sektor ng lipunan tulad ng mga solo parents.
“Let’s not underestimate the voters. They may laugh but who says they will vote for you. Keep them engaged by telling them what you will do for them rather that making them the punchline of your jokes,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian bilang paalala sa mga kandidato.
Binigyang diin ng Kalihim na ang mga solo parents, ay pawang real-life heroes na buong tiyagang nagsisikap upang mapalaki at mapakain ng maayos ang kanilang anak.
Ang nasabing pahayag ay nag-ugat sa isang viral video kung saan ginawang biro at katatawanan ng isang lokal na kandidato ang mga solo parents.
“They raise their kids alone through sheer sacrifice. Let’s not marginalize them further. As DSWD Secretary, I simply do not find this funny,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian.
Matatandaan na bago maupo bilang Kalihim ng DSWD si Secretary Gatchalian, ito ay kumandidato at nanalo bilang Congressman ng Valenzuela City at nanungkulan din ng siyam na taon bilang Alkalde ng Valenzuela.
“I have been to these barangay based caucuses where it is really hard to keep the voters’ attention especially in this sweltering heat. But using our vulnerable, poor and marginalized sectors as butt of jokes is not the way to go,” sabi pa ni Secretary Gatchalian.
Dagdag pa ng Kalihim, “To engage the crowd, we have to explain what we can do for them not make them the butt of jokes. We should never degrade the poor, marginalized and vulnerable.”#