LGUs cram to beat deadline of cash aid distribution

Local government units are racing against time to complete the distribution of cash aid to thousands of residents before the deadline on Thursday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said he will not allow another deadline extension after May 7. 

Quezon City

According to 24 Oras report by Saleema Refran on Wednesday, residents of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Quezon City had formed lines that spanned some 500 meters, equivalent to hours of waiting before the verification process that precedes the payout.

Some residents still had to wait two hours to claim their payout despite lining up at the special lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

QC officials said they are willing to stay up all night to finish distributing the aid.

“Ginagawa po namin ang lahat. Halos hindi na nga po kami natutulog para lang po mabigyan namin at mai-distribute ‘yung mga natitirang barangay,” Ammie Galindo of the City Treasurer’s Office said.

Over 6,000 residents of the barangay are expected to receive their cash subsidy on Wednesday.

Across QC, 148,067 people have claimed their share of aid as of Tuesday.

Local officials’ target for Wednesday was 50,000 residents across 16 barangays.

For Thursday, the deadline, the target is almost 180,000.

“We’re trying all our best na maipamigay natin. Marami pa rin ang ating hindi napa-payout kaya’t kami’y gumagawa ng lahat ng kaparaanan upang maipaabot sa kanila ang ayuda,” City Social Welfare and Development Office chief Fe Macale said.

In Barangay Matandang Balara, some residents had to spend 10 hours in line just to claim their cash subsidy, according to a 24 Oras report by James Agustin.

The lines have extended all the way to Commonwealth Avenue, with residents unable to observe social distancing measures.

Barangay officials also set different schedules for male and female residents.

“Baka mayroon diyang nagaabang na masamang loob. ‘Yun ang isa naming kino-consider kaya pinauna po namin lahat ng kababaihan,” Barangay chairman Allan Franza said.

The payout that began on Tuesday ended past 9 a.m. on Wednesday for over 4,300 beneficiaries that formed the second batch.

Another batch is scheduled for Thursday.

Manila City

According to a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston, Barangay 20 ran out of money to hand out to beneficiaries as local authorities struggled to enforce social distancing.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and their local counterparts vowed to complete the distribution before the deadline.

They added that there have been several days in a row now where distribution took them all night.

As of Wednesday noon, 134,000 out of the 185,000 beneficiaries across the city have received the cash aid.

On top of the national government’s subsidy, the Manila City government also handed out P1,000 each as part of their local aid program.

Laguna

According to a 24 Oras report by John Consulta, the line of beneficiaries has stretched so long that residents have poured out onto a portion of the National Road in Laguna.

A total of 4,800 beneficiaries will receive cash aid in Barangay Dita.

Local officials said the volume of residents will force them to continue distributions until the dawn in order to meet the deadline. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News