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DILG urges public to return 'doubled' cash aid from gov't
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged Thursday the public to return the cash assistance from the Social Amelioration Program if it was doubled or if they were able to obtain cash subsidies from other government programs.
Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya warned that those who will not return the money will receive a "demand letter" from the government.
"Nakikiusap po kami sa lahat na kapag ‘di ninyo po sinauli kasi, may isang pamilyang qualified na hindi nakatanggap. So isauli na po natin 'yan. Kung mas malaki ang nakuha ninyo sa SSS, 'yun ang inyong kunin, 'yung galing sa DSWD, 'yun ang inyong isauli," Malaya said.
"Kung kayo ay hindi magsasauli, makakatanggap kayo ng demand letter mula sa gobyerno... alam ninyo naman ang implikasyon ng demand letter," he said.
He warned that those who will not return the "doubled" assistance may face charges.
"Posible pong mahabla kayo... demand letter is a legal document issued by a competent authority,” Malaya said.
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He noted the government could easily trace if the assistance given to a certain beneficiary was doubled.
He said the money could be returned to the social welfare office of the city or municipality.
Aside from the cash aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Social Amelioration Program, the Department of Labor and Employment as well as the Social Security System are also extending cash assistance to the public in this time of health crisis.
Malaya bared a lot of beneficiaries have actually returned some of the "doubled" financial assistance they received from the government.
"Napakarami nang nagsasauli, in fairness. I'm sure mayroong hindi pero napakaraming nagsasauli ngayon... Nagsimula 'yan sa Navotas tapos sa Region XII, mga sampung milyon 'yung unang report na natanggap namin," Malaya said.
The DILG earlier said least 97 percent of the cash aid under the SAP has been distributed to the beneficiaries as of May 20. —AOL, GMA News