The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has stepped into the investigation on alleged corrupt activities related to the distribution of aid to individuals affected by the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The strict lockdown was imposed by the national government over the Greater Manila area from March 29 to April 11 after a surge of COVID-19 cases.
PACC Chairperson Greco Belgica said in today’s Laging Handa public briefing that they are gathering complaints they have received regarding the distribution of the new set of aid before a meeting with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
This year, the national government allocated P22.9 billion in funds left over from the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act to provide aid of P1,000 in cash or in-kind to 22.9 million low-income individuals.
Belgica said they have received around 8,000 complaints, which he described as “very alarming.” The distribution of the assistance only started on April 6.
Last year, the PACC received around 9,000 complaints due to alleged irregularities concerning the payout of funds from the social amelioration program (SAP) under the Bayanihan “To Heal as One” law.
“Kapag pinakialaman ‘yan [If you meddle in (the aid)], we will find out. And when we find out, we will ensure that you will be answerable for those,” Belgica warned.
Aside from the complaints, the PACC said it will also be looking at the systems being used, including the system for contact tracing amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases. – Report from Ryan Lesigues/AG-jlo#
