The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced Friday that it is open to extending the distribution of the national government’s cash assistance, provided that the local government unit (LGU) has a valid reason to extend.
According to DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, they have received many reports of rushed distribution, causing payout venues to be crowded. He said that among the reasons they consider for granting an extension are health risks at the payout venue, lack of personnel, and if most beneficiaries have traveled to their provinces or cannot be contacted by the LGU.
The DSWD initially ordered the distribution of financial aid within 15 days.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Diño emphasized that any LGU proven to violate health protocols during aid distribution will receive a show-cause order.
Moreover, if it is proven that an LGU is involved in an anomaly in the payout, the DILG will place the guilty official behind bars.
Report from Louisa Erispe/NGS-jlo
