Bayan Muna solon slams slow distribution of gov’t cash aid

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Friday hit the Duterte administration for the supposed slow distribution of cash aid for qualified beneficiaries under its social amelioration program.

In a virtual Labor Day protest action, Zarate claimed that at least 13 million families have yet to receive assistance from the national government.

"Ang implementasyon ng social amelioration program ay nanatiling mabagal at sobrang magulo ang proseso nito. Halos nasa 13 milyong mahihirap ang hindi pa rin nakakatanggap ng ayuda mula sa pamahalaan," Zarate said.

"Hanggang kahapon sa takdang deadline para sa first tranche ng social amelioration program, nasa 104 lang sa higit 1,630 mga LGUs ang nakakumpletong makapagbigay ng ayuda sa kani-kanilang mga beneficiaries," the lawmaker added.

Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development states that cash aid have been distributed to 9.4 million beneficiaries as of April 29.

Local government officials were given until April 30 to distribute the cash aid for qualified beneficiaries, however, some localities have failed to meet the deadline.

According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, the government has decided to extend the distribution of the first tranche of the cash aid for seven days in some areas, including Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Cebu City and Davao City.

He added that other local government units with payout problems would have a four-day extension to complete the distribution of the first tranche.

Around 18 million low-income families were targeted to receive monthly cash subsidies ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 for two months as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469). — RSJ, GMA News