The national government has decided to extend the distribution of cash aid until May 15 even as the handing of ayuda in some areas have been marred by accusations of favoritism, irregularities in the listing of beneficiaries, long lines in distribution centers and inadequate implementation of health protocols.
IF you have not yet received the cash aid being given out by the national government, don’t despair.
Malacanang Palace recently decided to extend the distribution of cash aid for affected by the two-week implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15.
In a virtual press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision came following appeals from several LGUs to extend the deadline for the distribution of assistance in NCR Plus, which covers Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, Roque said.
Under the guidelines earlier released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local officials must complete the release of aid “in 15 calendar days upon receipt of the funds if the assistance is in cash or within 30 calendar days if assistance is in-kind”.
“Tayo ay nasa panahon po ng Covid-19. Bawal ang malakihang pagtitipun-tipon. Kailangang pangalagaan ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng lahat,” Roque said.
He added that local officials are also looking for “flexible” arrangements by distributing the assistance either through digital means or house-to-house.
The distribution of cash aid in some areas in the NCR Plus bubble have been marred by accusations of favoritism, irregularities in the listing of beneficiaries, long lines in distribution centers and inadequate implementation of health protocols.
The NCR Plus bubble remains under a modified ECQ until April 30.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the allocation of P23 billion worth of emergency subsidy for low-income households.
Each beneficiary can receive either in-kind or cash assistance amounting to P1,000 per person or a maximum of P4,000 per family.
The DSWD reported Monday (April 19) that around 7,470,149 low-income earners or 32.5 percent of the 22.9 million recipients have already received the assistance, as of April 18. (ONT/with report from PNA)
Tags: #cashaid, #NCRPlusBubble, #DepartmentofSocialWelfareandDevelopment