Officials blamed for delayed cash aid to be given due process -DILG

The spokesman of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday warned that local officials could be charged if proven that they have been negligent in distributing the cash assistance from the government's Social Amelioration Program.

In an interview on Unang Balita, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said reports on the supposed negligence of barangay officials in SAP aid distribution would be taken on a case to case basis.

"Of course may accountability ang public officials, may MOA (memorandum of agreement) nga sila. But of course we will take this on a case to case basis kasi kailangan muna nating malaman kung ano ang dahilan ng pagkaantala," Malaya said.

"Baka naman beyond their control at pagganon, we have to give them due process. Pero pag may lumalabas na kapabayaan, hindi talaga nila inasikaso ng maayos, posible talaga silang maharap sa mga administratibo at kriminal na kaso," he added.

April 30 is the last day of the distribution of the cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Some local government officials have already doubted that they can finish the distribution on that date.

According to DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Dino, local government units already had the cash as early as April 3.

Meanwhile, Malaya said those qualified families who were not able to receive cash from the first batch of distribution will get aid in the second batch of distribution.

He said a list was already submitted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, noting that the government is already looking for funds for this. 

Details will be formally announced by Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a press briefing later, Malaya said.

"Yes po, may malaking announcement ang IATF sa Malacañang, at antabayanan po natin ito dahil nga po sa pangako ng Pangulo na 'yung mga left-out families, 'yung mga di naisama sa listahan ng DSWD ay matutulungan din ng pamahalaan especially na naextend ang ECQ... Hinahanapan na po ng pondo 'yan," Malaya said.

In a separate radio interview, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the national government would make adjustments to ensure a faster distribution of the second batch of cash aid.

"May mga adjustment kami na ginagawa. Pinag-usapan na rin kung paano mapabilis 'yung second tranche," he said. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News