House-to-house best way to distribute ECQ ‘ayuda’ — DILG exec

MANILA, Philippines — The best way to distribute the new round of aid for qualified individuals in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is house-to-house, an official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday.

DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño attested to the effectiveness of going house-to-house for aid distribution when it was implemented during the lockdown last year.

“Walang pinakamaganda diyan kundi house-to-house. Nakalabas ang mga silya, may pangalan, at idi-distribute,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(There is no better way than to do it house-to-house where chairs are placed outside the house and the packs have names.)

He assured that the DILG has enough manpower to implement a house-to-house distribution and that residents will receive their aid on time.

The agency will also not hesitate to file complaints, suspend or sack barangay officials who will exploit the aid meant for residents.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the DBM’s proposal to distribute P1,000 worth of in-kind aid per person or not more than P4,000 per each family affected by ECQ imposed in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said local government units will be authorized to decide if the aid from the national government will be given in cash or in kind.

Some 22.9 million beneficiaries are expected to receive aid from the government due to the implementation of ECQ over Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna starting March 29 until April 4.

At least P23 billion from the Bayanihan 2, the country’s second stimulus package, is available to fund the latest round of financial assistance.

JE