‘BIG CHALLENGE’ | LGUs have freedom to pick mode of cash aid distribution, says DILG

August 10, 2021 , 12:05 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(August 10, 2021) – Local government units (LGUs) have the freedom to determine the most efficient way of distributing cash aid to residents for the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Tuesday.

DILG undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the knowledge of the LGUs of the circumstances on the ground can help them fast-track the distribution of government assistance to poor families.

“Napakalaking laya ang binibigay natin sa LGUs kasi sila ang nakakaalam ng sitwasyon,” said Malaya on Ted Failon and DJ Chacha sa Radyo 5. “Mayroon tayong kaunting lead time for them. Kanya-kanyang diskarte ngayon. Nagde-determine sila ng mas magandang approach na gagamitin nila for distribution.”

Cities in Metro Manila got P10.89 billion worth of cash aid from the Department of Budget and Management. Each LGU is given two weeks to distribute the money to their constituents, according to a joint memorandum circular, but it could be extended depending on the situation.

Some LGUs like Pasig plan to stick to the traditional house-to-house cash aid distribution while others such as Makati want to course it through online applications. Both the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) will assist LGUs in whatever mode they undertake.

In an interview last week, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said LGUs have already fixed the list of beneficiaries of cash aid to avoid repeating the difficulties encountered in the previous lockdown.

Malaya expressed confidence that the LGUs have considered the emerging threats of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in planning for the process since it’s “the biggest challenge” they have to confront.

“We have to make the best of the situation,” said Malaya. “Sa ating mga kababayan, kung sakaling may delay ito, intindihin natin dahil hindi natin maipamimigay ang napakalaking pondo, almost P11 billion in 11 million residents in 15 days. It is a big challenge to our LGUs.”

Malaya, meanwhile, said the DILG has yet to receive any concrete directive from President Rodrigo Duterte to handle the cash aid distribution in a particular LGU because of an alleged “disorganized” situation. Duterte refused to drop names but he could be referring to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Moreno faced a string of controversies last week after thousands of people flocked to Manila’s COVID-19 vaccinations sites as walk-in registrants. Earlier this year, Manila was awarded by the DILG for swiftly completing the cash aid distribution.

Despite this, Malaya said Duterte’s order has a legal basis since the funds came from the government. He said the DILG, the DSWD, and the Philippine National Police can step in if the need to do so arises.

“Handa kaming gawin ‘yan pero walang specific instruction from the president kung sino ‘yan. ‘Di pa naman nagsisimula ang pamimigay so baka contingent lang ito,” said Malaya.

(PM)

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