Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday said it has yet to receive anomalous complaints concerning cash aid distribution, an official said.
DILG Usec. Jonathan Malaya said they are already coordinating with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission on alleged irregularities hounding the latest cash aid distribution.
On Thursday, PACC chairman Greco Belgica said that the agency received around 8,000 complaints about the assistance.
“Kami po ay nakikipag-ugnayan na sa PACC tungkol sa complaints na natanggap na nila. Kami po ay nabahala rin na umabot na sa 8,000 ang reklamo ang kanilang natanggap,” he said.
“Hindi po malinaw sa amin kung anong reklamo ito. So far ang natatanggap namin ay hindi tungkol sa anomalya or corruption,” Malaya added.
[Translation: We are already in contact with the PACC regarding the complaints they have received. We are also concerned that they have received some 8,000 complaints. It is not clear to us what these complaints are. So far what we receive is not about anomalies or corruption.]
On reports that some residents in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan were asked by the local government unit to sign a document waiving their right to file a complaint against the government when they receive the cash aid, Malaya said the DILG is still investigating the issue.
“Inaantay namin po ang paliwanag ng San Jose del Monte, if true, bakit sila nag-require ng waiver,” he said.
[Translation: We are waiting for the explanation of San Jose del Monte, if true, why they require a waiver.]
The government has earmarked ₱22.9 billion for almost 23 million beneficiaries from low-income households in NCR Plus.
Each qualified resident may receive cash or in-kind assistance of ₱1,000 each or up to a maximum ₱4,000 per family. The amount was lower than the ₱5,000 to ₱8,000 worth of subsidy provided under Bayanihan 1 in 2020.
