An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended the use of coupon for the payout of the cash assistance to the residents of the National Capital Region and four adjacent provinces which are currently under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said the coupons should state the place and time of the payout should be given to the recipients of the national government’s financial assistance for a more orderly distribution of the cash or in-kind aid in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal.
“Bale ngayon sa Quezon City nakababad tayo diyan. Ito na nga yung sinabi ko sa mga barangay captains na magbigay kayo ng coupon tapos nakalagay diyan kung anong oras sila pupunta doon sa distribution area (At present we are focused in Quezon City. This is what I told the barangay captains, just provide coupons that state the time when they should go to the distribution area),’’ Diño said.
But Diño however said that cash aid recipients who would come earlier than their scheduled payout should be penalized for violation of the physical distancing protocols.
“Bakit ka pupunta doon ng madaling araw eh ang oras mo 6 a.m., 7 a.m. (Why will you go there (cash aid distribution venue) at dawn when the schedule of your payout is at 6 a.m., 7 a.m.)?’’ he asked.
Diño’s proposal was issued after complaints that social distancing was violated during the payout in some areas of the NCR (National Capital Region)-plus covering the areas of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
The DILG noted that it is up to the local government units (LGUs) whether to give the payout house-to-house or face to face systems.