Caloocan can't afford aid for families left out of COVID-19 fund

The city government of Caloocan can't afford to shoulder the social amelioration costs of the households that have been left out of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's program amid economic uncertainties caused by COVID-19.

According to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras", some barangays in Caloocan had already submitted its list of beneficiaries but had been informed that only half of the families would get cash assistance.

The government has said that the poorest of the poor will be prioritized in the financial assistance program which may reach up to P8,000 for the months of April and May.

“Supposedly, dapat 400,000 kami eh ngayon 200,000 plus na lang. Eh siyempre bina-budget din nila,” Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan told GMA News.

Asked if the local government could afford paying for the cash assistance of families left out of the social amelioration program, Malapitan said, “Bilyon ‘yon. Hindi kaya.”

The city government could distribute medicine and food supplies, but could not afford providing cash assistance to those who lost their jobs amid the quarantine. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News