The local government units (LGUs) may conduct digital payment or tap financial service providers (FSPs) to distribute the financial assistance to residents affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday, Aug. 9.
Citing the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Local Budget Circular No. 138, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista said it is up to the LGUs in the ECQ areas to determine the most efficient and effective way of delivering the cash aid to their constituents.
He explained that the DSWD will not be involved in the aid distribution since the task is given to the LGUs.
“Katulad ng nabanggit natin, the LGU shall determine the most efficient and effective way of release of assistance at sila ay may option na makapag engage sa financial service providers para mapamahagi ang ayuda sa loob ng 15 calendar na itinakda ng deadline alinsunod sa JMC (joint memorandum circular) (As we mentioned, the LGU shall determine the most efficient and effective way of release of assistance and they have the option to engage with financial service providers to distribute the aid within the 15 calendar days as the deadline set in accordance with the JMC),” the DSWD chief said in a virtual Palace briefing on Monday.
"Yung pag engage nila sa digital payments sa FSPs desisyon na po yun ng lokal na pamahalaan as long as they will observe yung duration ng pamamahagi ng ayuda, yun yung binanggit natin na 15 days (Their engagement with the FSPs for digital payments, that is the decision of the local government as long as they will observe the duration of the distribution of aid, that is what we mentioned 15 days),” he added.
Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2021, which serves as guidelines for the implementation of financial assistance in the National Capital Region (NCR) was signed on Saturday, Aug. 7.
Bautista, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano, and Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the JMC No. 3.
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/08/look-guidelines-for-ecq-ayuda-payout-in-metro-manila-already-signed/
The DSWD had vowed to keep an eye on the distribution of P10.894-billion worth of financial assistance to low-income individuals and households affected by the ECQ reimposition in the NCR.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said they will closely coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in monitoring the implementation of the financial aid.
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/06/dswd-to-keep-an-eye-on-ecq-ayuda-payout-in-metro-manila/