Expedite and improve ECQ ‘ayuda’ distribution, solon tells DSWD, DILG

Residents of Baseco Compound in the City of Manila on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, line up to get their financial assistance after the government reimposed the enhanced community quarantine earlier this month in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces die to the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. (Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ramp up the release of assistance to individuals affected by the imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.

In a statement, Hontiveros said that the DSWd and DILG should address the complaints regarding the distribution of financial assistance.

“Maliit na nga ang ayuda na ibinibigay sa ating mga kababayan, sana naman ay huwag na yan patagalin pa o ibulsa (The financial aid given to Filipinos is a small amount, I hope that the distribution will not be cumbersome or the money pocketed.) The DSWD and DILG should look closely into all reports of problems involving the distribution of financial assistance, which is a matter of life and death for many Filipinos during this crisis,” she said.

She also noted that there were reports that some of the supposed beneficiaries in the list are not qualified  – including the deceased and minors.

She further said that there were families covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who were not in the list for the ECQ assistance.

 “Mayroon ding mga report ng mga beneficiary na hindi sinama sa listahan dahil hindi sila botante sa lugar. (There are also reports of beneficiaries not being included in the list because they are not voters in the area.) These stories are way too many to be mere fabrications and should be fully investigated,” Hontiveros added.

 Hontiveros added that due to an “erroneous list” of beneficiaries and other issues, aid distribution venues in several areas have become regularly crowded with applicants, thus creating potential “super-spreaders” for COVID-19.

 “Nakakalungkot na 2021 na pero hindi pa rin maayos ang proseso ng pagbibigay ng ayuda. Ang haba-haba ng pinipila ng mga kababayan natin para lang kumuha ng ayuda, pero pagdating nila sa distribution venue, madami ang wala sa listahan at walang mauuwi sa kanilang pamilya,” she added.

 (It is saddening that it is already 2021 but the process of distributing assistance is still not smooth. Filipinos line up for a long time just to get help, only to find out that they’re not in the list of beneficiaries and will thus have nothing to bring home to their families.) – Liezelle Soriano Roy, trainee

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