Pateros to reconsider service fee deductions on cash aid, says DILG

The local government of the municipality of Pateros will reconsider its policy of charging service fee for the distribution of cash aid for its constituents affected by the re-imposition of ECQ in Metro Manila and four neighboring provinces.

Earlier, "Dobol B TV" reported that the Municipality of Pateros was imposing charges for the distribution of cash aid in order to pay for a hired outfit task to distribute the money to beneficiaries in as faster way.   

But the Department of the Interior and Local Government expressed dismay upon learning Pateros' payout process. 

"We have already advised the LGU and they are reconsidering their process as we speak," DILG Usec. Jonathan Malaya said in a text message to GMA News Online, adding that the municipality has yet to distribute its cash aid.

Malaya was referring to the Pateros' additional service fee ranging from P20 to P30 which will be deducted from the P1,000 to P4,000 financial assistance. The service fee will be paid to a company which will help the locality distribute the aid faster through electronic services.

While he commended Pateros LGU for faster distribution, said Malaya.

However, he said it is improper to charge service fee from residents, who were already badly-hit from more than a year of lockdown.

"The President directed the LGUs to distribute P1k per individual for a maximum of P4k for each family to tide over our low-income individuals during this ECQ and to charge the service fee to their affected constituents would be improper," Malaya said.

The enhanced community quarantine is expected to end until Sunday, April 11. But  the government is still undecided whether to extend the strictest quarantine status for the second time.

ECQ was re-imposed in Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan or "NCR Plus"  after the country reported daily new COVID-19 cases ranging from more than 7,000 to 15,000. —LBG, GMA News