P4.47B for NCR cash recipients already disbursed —DILG exec

Around P4.47 billion of the cash assistance for qualified beneficiaries in the National Capital Region has already been disbursed, according to an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

"Maganda naman ang takbo ng ayuda natin kasi P4.47 billion na ang naipamigay natin dito sa Metro Manila, which represents 4.47 million beneficiaries na ang ating nabigyan dito sa Metro Manila," Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told "Dobol B TV" in as interview on Sunday.

(The cash aid payout has been smooth-sailing because we have already disbursed P4.47 billion in Metro Manila which represents 4.47 million beneficiaries in the region.)

Earlier, the national government allocated P22 billion for 22.9 million beneficiaries in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna areas (or NCR Plus bubble), which was placed under enhanced community quarantine for two weeks.

The government allowed local governments to decide on whether to give assistance in cash or in kind.

However, Malaya recognized several complaints that government personnel have been receiving in relation to the distribution of the cash aid.

He said the grievance committee that has been organized for the cash assistance payout will validate the complaints it has gathered for proper action.

"Itong grievance committee natin must be able to process itong mga appeals na ito within the period ng ating pamimigay" (This grievance committee must be able to process the appeals within the period of the cash payout), he said.

Malaya also said Metro Manila mayors, along with the secretaries of the social welfare and Interior department will meet on Monday to discuss the possibility of extending the distribution of the cash assistance.

"Magmi-meeting bukas ang NCR mayors with Secretary [Eduardo] Año and Secretary [Rolando] Bautista para mapag-usapan na ang extension [ng payout]," Malaya told Dobol B TV in an interview.

(The NCR mayors along with Secretary Eduardo Año and Secretary Rolando Bautista to discuss the extension of the payout.)

"So huwag mag-alala ang ating mga kababayan, meron namang prosesong sinusunod at masosolusyonan at magagawan ng desisyon ang inyong apela na ngayon ay nasa grievance committee na," he added.

(So the public should not worry anymore, there are processes being undertaken at the complaints that are already with the grievance committee will be addressed soon.)

Cash aid funds were tapped from the unutilized money under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, the Department of Budget and Management had said.

Last Monday, Bautista reported that P1.76 billion of the P22 billion social amelioration program fund was disbursed to constituents bearing the brunt of the lockdown, equivalent to 8% of the total.

He admitted that there was a "slow start" in the disbursement of assistance, but he vowed that distribution would accelerate after a few days. —LBG, GMA News