DILG tells LGUs to post names of beneficiaries before aid distribution

Local government units should post the names of approved beneficiaries before distribution of pandemic assistance , the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday.

DILG issued the guidelines for the distribution of the aid of P1,000 per individual, with a maximum of P4,000 per family, to residents of “NCR Plus” affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“Concerned city/municipal mayors and punong barangays should first post the approved names and barangay/district of the target beneficiaries before actual distribution,’ the DILG said in a statement.

“Said list shall be posted on the LGUs’ official website, social media accounts, and at conspicuous places in the community to foster greater transparency and accountability,” it added.

The beneficiaries of the earlier Social Amelioration Program (SAP) were posted after distribution of aid, DILG said.

DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide the LGUs with the complete list of previous SAP beneficiaries.

The list will be used as their reference in identifying beneficiaries for this enhanced community quarantine.

“The LGUs have the discretion to determine if the assistance will be given in cash or in kind provided that the assistance gets to their constituents soonest,” Malaya said.

“The mayors will need to issue an Executive Order detailing therein the type, manner and process of distribution. After the issuance of the EO, they can start the distribution,” he added.

Malaya assured that the funds will get to the intended beneficiaries and that  safeguards are in place. He also urged the public to file complaints if needed.

To monitor the compliance of LGUs, he said inspection teams were created. The Philippine National Police will immediately investigate reported cases of anomalies in the distribution, he added.

DILG said its officer-in-charge Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s 2021 dated March 31 to serve as guidelines in the aid distribution.

The government allocated P22.9 billion for the assistance program.—LDF, GMA News