MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) will still take part in the distribution of cash subsidy to beneficiaries of the social amelioration program, Malacañang said Thursday.
“Tingin ko yung pagtawag sa ating mga sundalo para tumulong sa pamimigay eh hindi naman ibig sabihin itsapwera na ang mga barangay. Siyempre meron pa ring importansiya dahil kakilala naman nila yung mga tao sa lugar,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online press briefing.
(I think the call for the armed forces to help in distribution does not mean the exclusion of barangays. They are still important since they know the people in their jurisdiction.)
“Pero naniniwala po ang Presidente na kung tutulong ang mga sundalo mas magiging mabilis po ang proseso,” he added.
(The President believes that soldiers’ help will hasten the process.)
Roque issued the clarification after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) chief Rolando Bautista said they are coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to facilitate the distribution of cash subsidies to low-income families.
“Tungkol naman mahal na Pangulo sa direktiba niyo na for the second tranche ay hindi na tayo magbababa ng pondo sa mga LGU at gagamitin natin ang AFP and PNP sa pamamahagi ng ayuda, Mayroon na kaming initial coordination sa liderato ng AFP at saka PNP para makatulong sila sa pagbibigay ng ayuda lalong-lalo na sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he said.
(Regarding your directive not to download funds to LGUs and to tap the AFP and PNP for the distribution of aid for the second tranche, we have made initial coordination with the leadership of AFP and PNP so they can help in the distribution of assistance, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.)
Roque said the state security forces’ participation would help prevent corruption in the distribution of cash aid.
“At tsaka siyempre, isipin niyo na lang, yung mga nandadaya diyan, yung mga kumakana diyan, ay maiiwasan,” he said.
(Of course, just think of it as prevention of corruption of funds.)
The President earlier threatened to arrest officials who would abuse their powers in distributing aid to the public.
He also offered a P30,000 reward to those who will report government officials pocketing cash aid from the social amelioration program.