The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has encouraged individuals to report to local chief executives issues on the distribution of "ayuda" or financial assistance in areas under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
DILG Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Thursday, April 8, that every local government unit (LGU) shall establish a Grievance and Appeals Committee where public concerns should be coursed through.
"It's usually in the City Social Welfare and Development Office. If it's not acted upon properly, he can go to the JMIT (Joint Monitoring and Inspection Teams) headed by the DILG. That's also per LGU, so we made the appeals system closer to the people)," Malaya said.
Reports surfaced about claims of uncoordinated distribution of cash assistance in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal (NCR+) which apparrently increased frustration among the beneficiaries of the government's financial assistance.
On April 9, a passing motorist recounted an incident in Quezon City the day before where two men lining-up for the P1,000 per individual cash aid were involved in a street scuffle.
The motorist, who declined to be identified, noted that the men were trading barbs of being unqualified recipients of the financial assistance until it led to a verbal scuffle.
The altercation only stopped after people in the long queue shouted that the distribution of the cash aid might be suspended because of them, the motorist added.
“Maybe stress and the ordeal of having to wait in line for long hours for P1,000 contributed to the tension. Both men later made amends as if nothing happened that was left unnoticed by the barangay tanod (village security personnel)," the motorist said in Filipino.
Maria Elena Oreta, a village official in Quezon City, said that such complaints are expected in barangays under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as the dire pandemic takes its toll on the financially struggling citizenry.
"If the government has enough money I am sure that all poor individuals will get their share. I received information that Mayor Joy is keen on looking for available funds to provide assistance to those left out in the list," Oreta said.