Delay seen in cash aid distribution due to protocols

MANILA – The distribution of financial assistance in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will experience delays due to the imposition of health protocols.

In the Palace press briefing on Monday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista asked for the public’s understanding.

“Talagang maraming challenges itong pagbibigay ng ayuda. Ito na iyong sinasabi nating health protocols, iyong mga limitasyon, pagpunta ng tao, kung saan ibibigay ang mga ayuda (assistance). At hindi natin puwedeng ipilit ang timeline sa lokal na pamahalaan, na kailangan on this day ay ganitong beneficiaries ang mabibigyan mo o kaya ganito dapat karami (Admittedly, there are several challenges when delivering the cash aid. One of which is our strict observance of the health protocols, from the restrictions on the number of people gathering in one place to finding a good enough venue. We can’t force the local government units [LGUs] to complete all necessary transactions within a certain period because they have different capacities),” Bautista said.

Delay may also be caused by database issues.

“Ang list ay manggaling sa ating LGUs dahil katulad ng nabanggit ko kanina, iyang list na po iyan ay listahan ng aktuwal na mga nabigyan ng ayuda noong last na [distribution]. So sa tingin ko iyong magiging delay naman is reasonable dahil kinonsider po lahat iyan ng ating lokal na pamahalaan (The database will come from the LGUs. It consists of the same beneficiaries who were also recipients of the previous financial assistance. I think if there will be a delay, it is reasonable because the LGUs have considered all those),” Bautista added.

The Metro Manila Council has decided to simultaneously distribute financial aid on Wednesday through electronic wallets and face-to-face distribution.

DSWD previously advised individuals or households not on the list to file complaints with the grievances committee in their villages.

In a joint memorandum circular, PHP1,000 will be given to each low-income individual or a maximum of PHP4,000 per household.

LGUs should complete their delivery within 15 days.

San Juan and Caloocan confirmed on Monday their ECQ distribution will start Wednesday.

The Department of Budget and Management said PHP10.89 billion cash aid shall benefit 10.9 million individuals, or the bottom 80 percent of the population in Metro Manila, based on the population projection and available data of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Metro Manila is under ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20 as a measure to prevent the further spread of the highly-transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Bautista also reported that the agency acquired two service units for its Central Office employees so as to lessen their transportation worries amid the health crisis.

“This is part of the DSWD’s efforts to ensure the welfare of employees who are required to report to work amid the pandemic,” he said in a statement on Monday during the blessing of the transport vehicles.

The agency will also provide overnight accommodation to its staff at the Central Office in Quezon City during the ECQ.