Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) — The Department of Interior and Local Government on Thursday instructed the police to investigate possible delays and complaints in the upcoming distribution of cash or in-kind assistance in areas under enhanced community quarantine.
The DILG said a memorandum circular has been given to local chief executives in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna on how they should distribute assistance worth P22.9 billion to low-income residents affected by the one-week lockdown due to the ongoing COVID-19 surge.
All local government units must issue an executive order after they identify the most effective and efficient way of releasing the assistance. After receiving the budget from the national government, they must distribute the cash aid of P1,000 within 15 days or within 30 days if they opt to give out goods. They also need to post a list of those who are set to receive assistance before the actual distribution.
The department is also creating a Joint Monitoring and Inspection Team (JMIT) in each LGU to address complaints regarding the distribution. It said the Philippine National Police will immediately investigate and conduct case build-up on reported cases of anomalies, irregularities, or graft and corruption.
The JMIT will address grievances “in case of undue delay or systemic anomalies in the distribution, and cause the filing of administrative or criminal cases against public officials or individuals involved in irregular or unlawful practices relative to said financial aid,” it said in a statement.
Eighty-nine barangay captains were suspended for six months in 2020 over alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash aid under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act. Nearly 18 million poor households affected by the strict lockdown received ₱5,000 to ₱8,000 cash subsidy under the social amelioration program.
