Solon wants barangays authorized to identify recipients, disburse cash aid

Marikina City Representative Bayani Fernando has proposed that barangays in the country be given the authority to identify the beneficiaries of the emergency cash subsidy from the government, and disburse the money themselves.

Fernando has filed House Resolution 807, through which he made his proposal in order to have more expeditious and orderly implementation of the Social Amelioration Program to help low-income families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview on Sunday, Fernando said that the capacity of the barangay to reach its people, despite being the smallest unit of government, should not be belittled.

"Huwag nating maliitin ang mga barangay natin. Ang kapangyarihan ng barangay, napakalaki. Yan ang hustisya, yan ang ehekutibo, at yan ang tagapagpatupad. At napakalaking ahensya niyan," he said.

He pointed out that what barangay officials need to do is to update the list of low-income families to be certified by Sangguniang Barangay through a resolution.

He said that the list should be posted in public areas in the barangay, and will also be sent to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for their own review.

Then, the  list will then be sent to the Department of Budget and Management to determine how much funds will be downloaded directly to the barangay.

After the funds have been disbursed to beneficiaries, the barangay will make a report on the distribution of the funds and return to the national government the excess amounts, if any.

Fernando expressed confidence that the barangay can take on the task of identifying the beneficiaries.

"Yan ay kayang-kayang gawin ng barangay sapagkat sa barangay, ubod ng dami ang tao niyan. Biro mo, kapitan, may walong kagawad, merong mga lupon, may treasurer ka, may secretary, may mga tauhan," he said.

"Kaya sila ang higit na naririyan sa ibaba na yan at kayang-kaya nilang gawin yan," he added.

Residents can also be assured that the identification of beneficiaries and distribution of the cash assistance is fair and equitable as it is based on posted list, he added. 

"Ang garantiya niyan yung posting. Doon mabibisto si kapitan kung yung lahat ng kamag-anak niya, kahit hindi kwalipikado ay isinama niya sa listahan," he said.

Under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, around 18 million low-income households belonging to the informal sector will be targeted to receive monthly emergency subsidies amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for April and May. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News