Jonvic Remulla says E-ayuda `not illegal’ but urges caution
DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla. INQUIRER.net file photo / RYAN LEAGOGO
MANILA, Philippines — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said online ayuda or financial aid was not illegal, but he “highly discouraged” the practice, citing a need for stronger databases to prevent abuse.
This came after Calumpit, Bulacan Mayor Lem Faustino drew flak online following a social media livestream to give residents financial aid through their electronic wallets amid the onslaught of the southwest monsoon (habagat).
“In my opinion, she did not break any laws. The only danger there is that it’s open to abuse if their accounting is not right,” Remulla, speaking in Filipino, said in an interview on DZMM on Thursday.
“They should make sure their database is good and complete because, if anything is wrong there and the COA (Commission on Audit) scrutinizes them, they will be held accountable. Local government units have autonomy. It’s not disallowed, but it’s hard to do. I highly discourage it, but it’s not illegal,” he stressed.
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Remulla was asked if there was no assistance from the national government, prompting the local government unit (LGU) to hand out its own assistance.
The DILG chief said the relief packages prepared and prepositioned by the Department of Social Welfare and Development were adequate, but LGUs could still choose to access their calamity funds for their emergency response.
A state of calamity was declared in Calumpit due to the severe flooding brought by the heavy rains over the past few days. /mr
