Makati City asks DILG to extend payout period for ECQ cash aid

Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abi” Binay. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government has asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for an extension in their cash aid or ayuda distribution, Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay disclosed.

“We were unable to distribute the cash assistance 100 percent kasi marami pong ‘di nag-update ng kanilang [mobile wallet account] because we are distributing our ayuda [electronically]. So, we have asked for an extension with the DILG,” Binay explained during an INQside Look interview on Thursday.

(We were unable to distribute the cash assistance 100 percent because many have not updated their mobile wallet accounts, which we use for cash aid payout. So, we have asked for an extension with the DILG.)

“We already sent a letter yesterday for the extension. So, it will really depend on the DILG on how long we will be given to still distribute the ayuda,” Binay added.

While waiting for the DILG’s verdict on the extension, the city government is handling the verification and grievances, Binay mentioned.

The mayor likewise shared that their system received 300,000 emails seeking to receive a financial subsidy.

“There are still over — if I’m not mistaken — 300,000 e-mails asking for ayuda. This is part of our grievance mechanism. So, imagine the volume of e-mails we still have to go through and filter to check and verify if they are really qualified for the ayuda,” she bared.

The city government will also look into conducting manual payouts to cater to residents who have difficulty in online transactions.

“We will see if it’s necessary to do a manual payout instead of a [mobile wallet distribution], maybe we need to reassess,” Binay noted.

To date, 61,000 out of the 268,123 total beneficiaries are yet to receive their cash assistance.

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JPV