The Philippine National Police received a directive from the Department of Interior and Local Government on Thursday to take the lead in investigating possible complaints and delays in the upcoming distribution of financial or in-kind assistance to residents living under enhanced community quarantine.
According to the DILG, a memorandum circular has been circulated to local chief executives in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna. It outlined the mechanism on how assistance worth P22.9 billion should be given to low-income residents affected by the one-week lockdown.
The circular stated that local government units should publish an executive order detailing the locality’s process 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.
To recall, in 2020, eighty-nine barangay captains were suspended for six months in over alleged anomalies in the distribution of cash aid under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
