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Nearly 62% of cash aid fund for NCR, other areas distributed —DILG
By CONSUELO MARQUEZ,GMA NewsA total of 61.85% of the P22.9 billion allotted to aid citizens affected by the two-week re-imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces has been distributed.
In an interview on Dobol B TV on Sunday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said, "Sa P22.9B, nai-distribute na yung P14.1B o aabot na sa 61.85%" (of the P22.9B, P14.1B has been disbursed).
Each qualified recipient is supposed to receive P1,000 or a maximum of P4,000 per family
under the national government's cash aid for those affected by the re-imposition of the ECQ in the NCR and neighboring provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan.Año said LGUs in Metro Manila is 68.51% complete with ECQ-fund disbursement. This was followed by Laguna with 65.76% completion, Rizal with 56.9%, Bulacan with 53% and Cavite with 47%.
Moreover, the chief said they will allot a one-time extension for cash aid distribution until May 15 to give time for LGUs to address grievances of their constituents regarding the cash aid.
"Bibigyan namin ng time ang LGU para masagot ang mga complaints para maiwasan ang kakasuhan. Sa level nila, maayos na yung mga complaints" (We will give them time to address the complaints to lessen possible charges against officials), Año said.
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Año commended the fast-tracking of financial aid distribution, but he stressed that they will still go after local officials who will steal from government funds.
"Ayaw ng Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na magbubulsa ng ano mang pera so mahigpit tayo diyan pero maganda ang kanilang pamamahagi and I commend our LGUS at nakakatulong kami sa pangangailangan," he said.
(The President does not want stealing of government funds so we will be strict in the accounting of the funds. Also, I have to commend the LGUs for speeding up the distribution to the needy.)
Last April 11, the Social Welfare department noted the slow distribution of cash aid, with only 8% of the P22.9 billion funds, covering 22.9 million residents were disbursed. —LBG, GMA News