(Eagle News) — The payout of cash assistance by local government units to affected low-income residents affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila has been “generally peaceful,” according to the monitoring of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD spokesperson Dir. Irene Dumlao said that the distribution of cash assistance started on Wednesday, April 7, and has been generally orderly and peaceful. She said that based on the DSWD’s coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), cash distribution to low income families had already started in parts of Metro Manila, Region 4-A (CALABARZON), and Rizal province.
Dumlao said that they have already provided a list of beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP which could be used as the basis for the pay-out of cash assistance by the local government units.
-LGUs have “full discretion” to determine beneficiaries-
But she said that LGUs still have the “full discretion” in determining the names of residents which should be included in the distribution list for cash assistance as to the list of residents which should be given aid.
Still, there should be a grievance and appeals committee set up in barangays or local government units, as well as a joint monitoring and inspection committee composed of representatives of the DILG, Department of National Defense (DND), DSWD and LGUs to check that the cash distribution is properly done and to address irregularites during the cash distribution to affected residents.
“This grievance desk should be set up by LGUs,” said Dir. Dumlao in an interview in the NET25 program “Balitalakayan” on Thursday, April 8.
Dumlao said that the list of beneficiaries should be posted by the barangays or the LGUs in their website and social media account, or in conspicuous areas which could be seen by all.
Individuals who were not included in the list but are qualified can seek inclusion through the grievance and appeals committee of the LGU.
-Concerns, complaints can be filed with DILG-DSWD-LGU joint committee-
“Using that platform (grievance and appeals committee), they can raise their concerns para naman ma-address and concerns nila,” Dumlao said.
Complaints against barangay officials can also be sent or filed with the joint monitoring and inspection committee in the barangays or LGUs concerned.
“If there are erring officials and alleged irregularities, ito po ay ating isasangguni sa DILG which has the administrative authority over the local government units,” the DSWD official said.
This joint monitoring and enforcement committee will in fact ensure that barangays and LGUs are properly complying with the government guidelines.
This committee will be checking and ensuring that the distribution of the “ayuda” or cash assistance is done in the “most effective and efficient manner” and that all complaints are addressed, and if needed elevated to the higher office of the DILG, Dumlao said.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the distribution of cash assistance in the areas covered by the ECQ — Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal — to be given directly to the low-income families or residents. The government has set P4,000 to be given to each low-income family, or P1,000 for each individual under this program.
(Eagle News Service)