The distribution of assistance from the national government to residents affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) continues despite the implementation of the modified ECQ (MECQ).
In Quezon City, residents of Barangay Commonwealth queued at the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School on Tuesday to receive their cash aid.
The distribution was conducted in a house-to-house manner in Pasig City and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Based on the report of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista on Monday night to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, at least ₱1.7 billion was already handed over by local government units to beneficiaries or 8% of the allocated ₱22.9 billion fund for the project.
Data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also show that only 14% of the allocated fund to Metro Manila was distributed, while only 3% of the allocated fund to Laguna and Rizal was delivered to beneficiaries.
A slowdown in the payout was also observed in Cavite and Bulacan.
“Pero after four to five days, doon na po nag-start ‘yong mabilisang pagdi-distribute ng special assistance [The faster distribution of assistance began after four to five days],” Sec. Bautista assured.
Meanwhile, President Duterte ordered the DILG to investigate complaints regarding the distribution of assistance.
“Ask your field officers to try to make the rounds and investigate if these allegations are true,” he told Bautista.
DILG Officer-in-Charge USec. Bernardo Florece reiterated that mayors were given the option to distribute the assistance in cash or in kind.
“But so far, per our monitoring, there is only one who opted to give it in kind and that is in Calauan, Laguna, Mr. President. And then so far, there are no complaints,” Usec. Florece reported. – Report from Patrick de Jesus/AG-jbb
