Piracicaba provided more bus passes for vulnerable individuals to depart for neighboring cities than it received from them, amid allegations of misuse of public assistance resources.
In the recent months, Piracicaba has issued 14 bus passes for individuals in vulnerable social situations to travel to nearby cities such as Limeira, Rio Claro, and Sorocaba. This number surpasses the total passes these municipalities have provided for travelers heading to Piracicaba during the same timeframe. The data, gathered by G1 through the Access to Information Law, was highlighted by the municipal secretary of Social Assistance, Edivaldo Brito, who accused other municipalities of improperly utilizing Piracicaba's public investment to transport homeless individuals to the city without proper agreements.
The municipalities of Limeira, Rio Claro, and Sorocaba responded to these allegations by denying any wrongdoing or the systematic transportation of homeless individuals to Piracicaba. Limeira issued three passes, while Rio Claro and Sorocaba each provided four, indicating that fewer individuals have traveled to Piracicaba compared to the number that have left it. Brito, when contacted, did not elaborate on what he considered to be criminal behavior nor did he provide evidence to corroborate his claims about irregular transportation.
This situation raises questions about the management of social support systems among municipalities and the potential for resource misallocation. The claims of Brito suggest a possible rift between municipalities regarding responsibility for vulnerable populations, reflecting broader concerns about homelessness and social welfare in Brazil. The details of the story present a need for further investigation into inter-city collaboration and accountability in addressing social issues effectively.
