Brownout hits Payatas, makes aid distribution more difficult

A power outage in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City worsened the already difficult payout process for beneficiaries of the national government’s cash subsidy program.

According to a 24 Oras report by James Agustin on Monday, residents spent hours in line with little ventilation and light due to the lack of electricity.

A firetruck was the only source of light in the distribution area.

One resident waited 14 hours before making it inside the covered court where the cash was distributed.

“Talagang hirap po talaga, pero kailangan po naming tiisin para sa pamilya namin,” Steven Panuncio said.

Local authorities already fired up three generators but they were not enough.

They added that they have been experiencing electricity issues for five days now along Bulacan Street.

Electricity finally went back at around 3 a.m. Monday, but it took several more hours before the payout for almost 5,000 beneficiaries concluded for the day.

“Ang number one problem is ‘yung nagkakaroon ng problema sa coding. Hindi match ‘yung mga number na binibigay nila do’n sa payroll namin,” assistant city treasurer for administration Noel Adrias said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News