MINORS, DEAD INCLUDED IN LIST

LGUs reminded to validate list of cash aid beneficiaries

Local government units (LGUs) should ensure that their respective lists of beneficiaries for financial assistance are validated, following reports that minors and even those already dead are included in some barangays.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) last month released some P22.915 billion to LGUs for financial assistance among those affected by the recent reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the NCR Plus area.

"So we advised the LGUs that the DSWD list should only serve as a reference and they must validate the list on the ground," Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in John Consulta's Sunday report on "24 Oras Weekend."

He was referring to the list compiled by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which serves as a reference for LGUs on the beneficiaries to receive P1,000 per affected individual or P4,000 per household.

However, there have been reported cases, specifically in Barangay 44 in Pasay City, in which the list included minors, those already dead, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"Hindi na 'yan pagkakamali sa listahan. Ang nakikita na natin diyan, pagnanakaw na 'yan sa kaban ng bayan at puwede 'tong mapasok sa graft and corruption, technical malversation," said PBA Party-list Representative Jericho Nograles.

(This is no longer an error in the list. What we see is stealing from public funds and this can qualify as graft and corruption, technical malversation.)

For her part, Barangay 44 Captain Marissa Ramirez said they sought advice from the DSWD who said that the funds can be released to proxies of those in the list.

"Kasi po 'yung minor na nakasulat don, hindi naman po talaga sila 'yung nakatanggap ng payout kundi 'yung magulang. Wala po akong nakikitang masama kasi unang una, sila po ay mga anak nung head of the household," she said in the same report.

"Nung panahon nung first tranche ay buhay pa, nung lumabas ang second tranche, nagkataon naman pong binawian na siya ng buhay. Kinonsulta po namin ang DSWD. Siguro po for some reason -- humanitarian, dahil isang senior at minor -- inallow naman po nila na ibigay na doon sa nanay 'yung dapat matanggap ng namatay na," she added.

(The minors listed did not receive the payout but their parents did. I don't see anything wrong because first of all, they are children of the head of the household.

They were still alive when the first tranche came out but unfortunately died before the second tranche. We consulted the DSWD and for some reason -- humanitarian because they are senior citizens and minors -- the DSWD allowed that the assistance be given to the mother instead.)

— Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News