PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has stripped a local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila of authority to distribute cash aid to its constituents because its officials allegedly failed to do it in an orderly manner in the past.
Duterte said Monday, August 9, 2021, that he instructed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to lead the distribution of cash aid in this LGU.
He did not identify the LGU.
“Alam mo may isang siyudad ako dito na I ordered the...your department (DILG) and itong (DSWD) na kayo na ang magbigay ng mga ayuda pati ‘yung mga kung anong maitulong sa national government sa local government units na walang alam, na hindi marunong mag-organize ng mga distribution and it only results in disorder,” he said during his public address on Monday.
“So tinanggal ko muna 'yan sa kanila at ibinigay ko doon sa Department of the Interior and National... Interior and Local Government, pati ang DCWD...DSWD. Kayo na muna hanggang matuto sila. Nakita naman ninyo, it's on TV and all, na wala talagang kaalam-alam itong mga mayor na 'to. So tanggalan natin muna ng itong pag...pamimigay, pag-distribute ng pera pati tulong ng gobyerno,” he added.
City of Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, who prominently figures in political surveys, recently provoked Malacañang’s ire after attributing the huge crowds in Manila’s vaccination sites to a statement made by Duterte.
Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they have yet to receive a formal instruction regarding the matter.
The distribution of cash aid to low-income families in Metro Manila, which is under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until August 20, will begin on Wednesday, August 11.
Low-income earners will receive P1,000 per individual and a maximum of P4,000 per family. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)