4.4 million NCR low-income earners receive P4.47-B in cash aid –DILG

Around 4.4 million low-income individuals in the National Capital Region (NCR) have received financial assistance from the government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Saturday.

In a statement, the DILG said local government units in NCR distributed P4.47 billion, or 40.07% of the funds earmarked as financial assistance, among 4,477,090 individuals.

“Pursigido po ang mga LGUs sa pamamahagi ng ayuda kaya they have been working hard to ensure that the financial aid reaches the intended beneficiaries,” DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.

[Our LGUs are diligent in distributing aid so they have been working hard to ensure that the financial aid reaches the intended beneficiaries.]

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the P22.9 billion aid for some 22.9 million beneficiaries in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite, with each targeted beneficiary receiving P1,000 or up to P4,000 per family.

On April 13, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said only 8% of the allocated P22.9 billion in financial assistance was given in the NCR Plus area.

At present, the DILG said Metro Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon City, and Navotas have distributed the most cash aid.

Data from the DILG showed that Mandaluyong has distributed P243.368 million or 66.75%, followed by San Juan with P62.77 million or P63.78%, Quezon City with P1.559 billion or 62.83%, Navotas with P108.36 million or 54.22%.

“Saludo po ang DILG sa ating mga LGUs sa sipag at tiyaga na ipinapamalas nila sa pamimigay ng ayuda. Pinapatunayan lamang nito na kayo ay matino, mahusay at maaasahang mga kawani ng pamahalaan,” Malaya said.

[We commend our LGUs for their diligence and patience in distributing aid. They have proven that they are decent, competent, and reliable officials of the government.]

According to the DILG, the priority target beneficiaries are low-income individuals and those working in informal economies who were beneficiaries of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program.

Also included are additional beneficiaries in SAP 2, SAP wait-listed beneficiaries, and individuals among vulnerable groups such as low-income individuals living alone, persons with disabilities, solo parents, among others. — DVM, GMA News