Low-income village execs, workers qualified for cash aid: DILG

MANILA – Village officials and workers are qualified to receive financial assistance under the national government’s emergency assistance program for those affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), an official said Wednesday. 

Village officials, barangay health workers, village watchmen, councilors, and other barangay utility workers with a monthly salary of PHP1,500 to PHP2,000 are qualified to receive the assistance because they are also low-income earners, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said.

Relatives of barangays officials may also receive financial aid from the national government so long as they meet the requirements.

“Technically, pupuwede yan dahil so long as low-income earners sila. So ang babalikan po natin kung ilan sila sa pamilya (Technically, it could be allowed so long as they are low-income earners. So we will just figure out how many members the family has),” Malaya said. 

Under the “ayuda” payout, each family member will receive PHP1,000 but only a maximum of four household members could receive it.

“Meron po talagang limitasyon (There are limitations as to the number),” he said.

The local government units (LGUs) are tasked to publicly post the list of the beneficiaries for the cash assistance.

Malaya said the list shall be posted on the LGUs’ official website, social media accounts, and in conspicuous places in the community to foster greater transparency and accountability.

Local officials who will refuse to follow the mandated guidelines in the distribution of assistance will be charged with “dereliction of duty” and may face administrative cases, he said.

Malaya noted that the joint monitoring and inspection teams led by the DILG would oversee and inspect the LGUs assigned to them.

Proof of posting the list of beneficiaries will be checked regularly.

The LGUs will receive a “show cause” order if they fail to comply with the distribution guidelines issued by the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 

Malaya said safety measures are in place to ensure the funds would be given to qualified beneficiaries.

The LGUs are also directed to establish a “Grievance and Appeals Committee” to address complaints from the public.

He, likewise, reminded the LGUs to continue imposing health protocols during the distribution of the financial assistance.