Parañaque Representative-elect Brian Raymund Yamsuan has committed to expand the use of digital technology to ensure the equitable, swift and efficient delivery of the government’s social protection programs to the city’s second district.
As the incoming congressional representative of Parañaque’s second district, Yamsuan said among his goals is to reshape the way government assistance is delivered to vulnerable sectors, not only to enhance operational efficiency, but to help ensure that aid reach the intended beneficiaries.
“We have many digital tools readily available to us to improve the way we coordinate with government agencies in delivering assistance to the people. Our ‘tech-for-good’ initiative will broaden access for those who truly need support from the government and ensure that they directly receive the aid given to them,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan said his initiative of shifting the application process to online platforms for programs that provide educational assistance, jobs and livelihood opportunities has greatly minimized the number of rejected applicants and helped ensure the equitable distribution of aid provided by government agencies.
These include Yamsuan’s Bigay Ayuda sa Nakababata (BAON), which provides educational assistance to qualified students in Parañaque’s 2nd District, and his jobs and livelihood programs such as the Bigay Negosyo and the Jobs and Uptraining for the Modern Pinoy (JUMP), which he has been implementing in the district in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
“Kapag nagsimula na tayong pormal na manungkulan bilang congressman ng Distrito Dos, itutuloy natin at papalawakin pa ang paggamit ng digital platforms para lahat ng kwalipikado ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makatanggap ng tulong mula sa pamahalaan. Hindi na kailangan pang may mamagitan para sa kanila para makapag-apply. Direkta na nilang makukuha ang tulong kung sila naman ay kwalipikadong makatanggap nito,” Yamsuan said.
(Once we formally assume office as the congressman of District Two, we will continue and even expand the use of digital platforms so that all who are qualified will have a chance to receive aid from the government. No need for middlemen for them to be able to apply. They will directly obtain aid if they are qualified to receive it.)
Yamsuan said he is also exploring the possibility of using mobile apps for the cashless transfers of financial assistance to those seeking help to purchase prescription medicines.
The plan involves using QR codes stored in one’s mobile phone to streamline the process of purchasing medicines from pharmacies and drugstores that will join the program. Yamsuan said these QR codes serve as digital tokens with scan-to-pay functionalities that beneficiaries can use to settle payments in the partner pharmacies and drugstores.
“This process will significantly reduce wastage in distributing government resources to those in need. Siguradong ang makukuhang tulong pinansyal ng beneficiary ay mapupunta sa pagbili ng gamot. Kung cash ang ibibigay mo, maaring magamit pa ito para maipambili ng iba pang bagay na sa halip na gumaling sila ay lalo pang lumala ang sakit,” Yamsuan said.
(This ensures that the financial aid for the beneficiary will be spent on medicines. If you will give cash, there’s a possibility that it will be used to buy things that will worsen, instead of cure their illness.)
“What we are doing is to improve the way we respond to the needs of the people. We want it to be more efficient, fair and accessible to all, and not just because you are close or related to someone who works in your barangay,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan said his “tech for good” initiative will also help reduce leakages in aid distribution and determine which government support programs are needed the most in each barangay.
