Payout for beneficiaries of cash aid in Caloocan City. Image from the Facebook page of Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan
MANILA, Philippines — More than 160,000 beneficiaries in Caloocan City have received their cash assistance following the reimposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in so called “NCR Plus”, the local government has said.
According to the LGU, 161,617 recipients or 44 percent of the 368,925 total beneficiaries have received their cash assistance from April 7 to April 14.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan credited the “technology-savvy” students of the University of Caloocan City (UCC) for the “swift payout system” the city government is using.
The students were hired to act as “paymasters” by a remittance partner of the LGU in their payout system.
“We are proud that during times like this, the students of our very own UCC can use their knowledge and showcase their skills,” Malapitan said in a statement on Thursday.
The LGU said they partnered with the remittance company to “digitalize and fast-track” the aid distribution in the city.
“Through this process, the digital record can be accessed by the Commission on Audit. The electronic reports contain photos, addresses, phone numbers of the recipients and the proof of identity presented to claim the cash aid,” it said.
Malapitan also encouraged beneficiaries with questions and complaints to approach the Grievance and Appeals Desk that were set-up in all pay-out sites across the city.
“The Grievance Desk is open to serve those with complaints on the cash assistance they received, the process, or if they have additional questions,” he added.
On April 7, local government units in Metro Manila began distribution of cash aids to ECQ- affected individuals.
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