My message to Malacañang

Because I believe I have the right to complain I sent an email to Malacañang at www.gov.ph about the cold response of DSWD, Legarda, concerning my request for a business assistance. Below is the content of the said email.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Dear Sir/Ma'am,

How wonderful if all government personnel will be as responsible as what I had experienced at LIVELIHOOD DIVISION of DSWD Head Office, whose OIC is Mr. Restitoto Macuto; but sad to say that once in a while there are those people who are not inclined to helping others earnestly, especially to the poor, like what I have just experienced with a field staff of DSWD Legarda Branch.

I have applied for the program "SEA-K (Self-employment Assistance – Kaunlaran)" program of DSWD, Department of Social Welfare and Development. At first, everything seems to be going fine until I got a problem with DSWD Legarda – the field staff assigned to me, her name is Judith, just kept on promising to come to my place , but until to this day nobody comes. If she don't want to help me, for whatever reason it is, then all she has to do is to tell me. However, I just can't think of any reason why I can't avail the said program, for I am virtually nothing at this time, and I am confident the my proposed business project will work.

I have an Art exhibit at home, which is open for donation. Actually, it's more like a small museum because I have paintings, books, rare objects, documents, etc. It's my plan to make a business out of my paintings ( my business proposal).

At the moment, I am working really hard for this project. As a matter of fact, I am now writing my Blogs and publishing my Computer Paintings on the Internet. I have paintings done in colored pencils and latex paints, though, at this time, I don't have a digital camera to upload them – too bad.

What I am doing now is a hard work, everyday, for almost a month-and-a-half I have to walk an hour or so to Quezon City Public Library at the City Hall just to have a free Internet access.

I don't lose faith yet in the government in looking after the needs of the poor, only, that there are few in the position that are lazy and don't care enough for their constituent. In my case, how I hope that I will be extended financial aid for my business project. -- if not, then I have to find other ways of course.

Although the amount I will receive from the government's SEA-K program is only 5,000 pesos, the maximum, I can already work around with that amount to propel my business. I have Marketing Strategies already in mind, for my business to work, like Radio program, Lectures, Blog and Website.

Below is the details of my SEA-K application:

July 21, 2009 – At the DSWD Head Office, Batasan Complex, I wrote a letter and was received at the same date by the same office.. The OIC (Officer in Charge) of the LIVELIHOOD DIVISION is Mr. Restitoto Macuto The letter I wrote was a request for me to avail a financial aid for my proposed little business. The said letter was then forwarded to DSWD Legarda.

August 14, 2009 – I made a call to DSWD Legarda. I was told my letter was already received by the field staff assigned to me, and that I will just have to wait for she will come soon.

Days passed, still nothing happened.

August 18, 2009 – Desperate for an aid, I visited DSWD Legarda. There, I met Ms. Malou Ballesteros, their director, and the field staff assigned to me (Judith). Since I was there already, I was interviewed. After some minutes of conversation with Judith, I was informed that it will take more or less six months to form a workable group for the SEA-K Program, since there's no existing group in my barangay (Bahay Toro, Quezon City) at present.

Because of this, she suggested that it's better for me to be referred to another government institution that caters individuals. I told here that if that is what she thinks the best option for me then I will go for it. She said within a week I would receive a letter coming from that institution.

I waited again – nothing arrived.

Sept. 09, 2009 – I called DSWD Legarda again; luckily, I was able to talk to Judith; she again promised to come and see my place. I waited – again, she didn't come.

Now, with all these empty promises I received it's only appropriate that I will complain, in hope that I will be heard. To make others know the existence of such unwholesome attitude and inefficient service, I made this letter open to the public.

Sorry for the inconvenience, I don't have telephone connection. I have a cellphone but, since I don't have electricity for months now, it's no use to me at this time -- I can't charge it. For communication, I am using my email: (email is purposely deleted).

How I only hope that you can understand my position.

Suppose to be, I have to send this complaint to the Civil Service Commission, but I was unsuccessful in sending it through their online complaint form, that's why, I sent it here instead. So please, forward this message to the right department.

SINCERELY YOURS,

ANSELMO MALUGAO
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NOTE: For some months, the sent email above got no response, this prompted me to comment on how government agencies' behave on email communication. The next entry deals on this issue.

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