Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday, March 30, said the government should just give the P1,000 worth of assistance to beneficiaries in cash as this would be simpler and cost-effective.
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO)
In an interview on ABC-CBN News Channel, Drilon said that while he welcomes the government’s move to provide people affected by the latest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), logistical costs could be higher if these are given in kind.
He said the instruction that the P1,000 could be given in-kind “has its own disadvantages.”
“I welcome that. We need every assistance to our suffering people. We have over 4.5 unemployment rate. With our own eyes, we see the poor jeepney drivers on the street begging. It is really hurting."
“We hope that it can be implemented better, but I have a little concern with the instruction that it could be given in kind, because the logistics cost will reduce the net assistance to the beneficiaries,” Drilon said.
There could also be possible corruption allegations that may be raised later if the money is given directly to local officials, he said.
“At the local level, my goodness, I don’t know what the commissions are. I can assure you a week from now, you will hear allegations of corruption in the purchase of this ayuda in-kind,” the minority leader said.
“ yes, give it in cash, it is simpler,” Drilon stressed.
Though unscrupulous individuals could indeed use the money to buy alcohol, giving assistance in the form of cash is “much better.”
“We must balance the stakes and at the end of the day, you will find out that giving it in cash also with it’s undeniable shortcomings is much better than ayuda in kind,” he stressed.
President Duterte has already approved the P1,000 in-kind assistance to beneficiaries in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal — all of which were placed under ECQ from March 29 to April 4 due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.