Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes is urging the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to revamp its aid distribution process after a string of reported deaths involving Filipinos waiting to receive government assistance raised concerns over public safety and service delivery.
The lawmaker said recent incidents highlight serious weaknesses in how aid programs are being implemented, particularly for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and individuals with health conditions.
His call for reforms came after reports that a 73-year-old senior citizen was fatally struck by a pickup truck while lining up for the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program and cash aid distribution. In another incident, a 55-year-old woman reportedly collapsed and died while waiting for assistance during a DSWD distribution activity at Quezon City Hall.
For Ordanes, these incidents should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies tasked with delivering social services.
“Ito ay hindi simpleng aksidente lamang. Ito ay paalala na may mali sa paraan ng pagdadala ng serbisyo sa tao,” he said.
The lawmaker also cited a previous case involving a motorcycle rider who reportedly died while waiting in line for a ₱5,000 cash assistance payout, underscoring what he described as the dangerous conditions many Filipinos face simply to access government support.
According to Ordanes, social assistance programs are meant to ease hardship—not create additional risks for beneficiaries.
He questioned whether enough is being done to modernize distribution systems and ensure that aid reaches recipients safely, efficiently, and with dignity.
The senior citizens representative also challenged the DSWD leadership to shift focus toward operational improvements that directly impact beneficiaries.
“Nanawagan ako sa DSWD at sa pamunuan nito: itigil ang pag-aaksaya ng oras sa anumang gawain na nakatuon sa pagkuha ng atensyong pampubliko habang may mga kababayan tayong nahihirapan at namamatay sa pila,” Ordanes said.
To prevent similar incidents, the congressman proposed several reforms, including strengthening beneficiary databases to streamline verification processes, expanding digital and door-to-door assistance systems for high-risk recipients, improving crowd control measures, and creating dedicated lanes for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and individuals with medical conditions.
He likewise emphasized maximizing technology and modern systems to reduce waiting times and limit beneficiaries’ exposure to extreme weather and unsafe environments.
“Bilang kinatawan ng mga senior at miyembro ng gobyerno, hindi ko matatanggap na ang mga Pilipino ay nailalagay sa sitwasyong delikado para lamang makatanggap ng tulong,” Ordanes stressed.
“Ang ayuda ay dapat nagliligtas ng buhay at hindi nagiging dahilan ng pagkawala nito.”
The incidents have renewed discussions on improving social welfare delivery systems, with calls growing for agencies to strike a balance between reaching large numbers of beneficiaries and ensuring that aid distribution remains safe, orderly, and humane.