DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 18 local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region Plus have completed aid distribution to eligible families, with the LGUs in Laguna leading, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The DILG said that a total of P1.93 billion have been distributed ahead of the May 15 deadline by the 18 LGUs, which include Biñan, Cabuyao, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Alaminos, Calauan, Famy, Magdalena, Nagcarlan, Paete, Pila, Rizal, and Santa Cruz in Laguna.
Guiguinto and Pandi in Bulacan, as well as Tagaytay, Amadeo, and Naic in Cavite have also completely distributed aid to recipients, according to the DILG.
“We commend these LGUs who have now finished their financial aid dissemination for their commitment and partnership with the national government in this very tedious task,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año in a statement.
Laguna has also distributed the highest amount of aid to its beneficiaries, with 93.84%, followed by NCR with 81.92%, Bulacan with 80.52%, Rizal with 74.41%, and Cavite with 72.99%.
Meanwhile, Año said that NCR’s distribution of aid by its LGUs remains in full swing, with more than P18.6 billion handed over, and Pateros leading the distribution with 97.28%.
Caloocan has a distribution rate of 97.18%, Quezon City with 95.97%, Manila with 95%, Pasay with 93.47%, Mandaluyong with 93.02%, San Juan with 92.66%, and Navotas with 90.68% as of May 8.
The DILG said that the department is confident that all LGUs in the NCR Plus will be able to distribute aid, and explained that those lagging behind are slowed down by a number of reasons.
“Some of the reasons that LGUs have not yet completed their ayuda distribution are the huge number of beneficiaries, the big number of appeals that are undergoing deliberation, the tedious and lengthy process of partnering with banks and remittance centers for ayuda payout for those doing electronic distribution, and the difficulty of mobilizing personnel in this time of pandemic,” Año said.
Beneficiaries who are eligible for the said aid can receive a maximum of P4,000 per family, according to the DILG.
RELATED STORIES:
DILG warns politicians vs using COVID-19 aid for political purposes
DILG: Distribution of aid in ‘NCR Plus’ to continue even during MECQ