The DILG is investigating LGUs that failed to implement safety protocols during the distribution of the national government’s cash aid.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development , which oversees the program intended for the poorest sectors affected by the pandemic, said local governments could come up with their own “strategies” for the payout. But it reminded officials to limit the crowd and strictly maintain physical distancing.
“I believe what happened there was people came in earlier than their supposed schedule, kaya naipon ,” said Joseph Arceo, the DSWD regional spokesperson. Alcala said the local government needed at least 10 days for an organized distribution to the 50,000 beneficiaries who were chosen from the city’s record of more than 70,000 poor households. He said the DSWD took two weeks to finish the verification of recipients.
The mayor said each barangay had its own schedule to go to the venue. “The problem started when most of them arrived at the venue ahead of their schedule. They all came rushing,” he said.Lt. Col. Romulo Albacea, city police chief, said: “With that desperate crowd wanting to receive their … cash aid [as they faced] hunger, it would be difficult for any lawman to force them to leave.”Arceo said the Lucena incident was not the first.
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