Government Social Workers Fight Virus and Public Criticism: The Implementation of Social Amelioration Program During Covid-19 Pandemic in the Philippines

This paper talks about the issues surrounding implementation of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) by Philippine government and how social workers are caught between looking after themselves in this pandemic, being vigilant against criticisms, making credible decisions on eligibility people who going to avail SAP. In critically analyzing power relations, presents two ideas: (a) perspectives citizens deciding eligible beneficiaries program using deservingness theory which best describes play decision these create tension program; (b) worker, Michel Foucault’s ideas power, help worker maintain professionalism, remain optimistic their profession, make sound judgments amidst all noises bureaucracy, public doubts, criticism possibly burn out.