Rody-Isko rift heightens as DILG, DSWD take over 'ayuda' distribution in Manila
By Chito Chavez
Now it's clear who President Duterte was referring to when he assailed a Metro Manila mayor for "disorderly" response on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
On Wednesday, officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) took over the distribution of cash assistance (ayuda) to residents of Manila.
In a statement, the DILG said that the supervision of ayuda distribution in Manila will be done by the agency and by the DSWD to ensure the orderly conduct of payout activities in Manila.
"Officials and representatives of the DILG, DSWD, and the Department of National Defense (DND) led by DSWD Secretary Roland Bautista will be attending the ceremonial distribution of ayuda at the Jose Abad Santos High School in Binondo at 9:30 am (Wednesday)," the statement read.
President Duterte recently attacked a Metro Manila mayor for a supposed history of disorganized handling of cash assistance distribution. While he did not mention the name, netizens and critics said he was apparently referring to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Both Duterte and Moreno traded barbs in the past days with political analysts saying it is election-related since the latter has been showing a good standing in presidential surveys. Duterte's daughter Sara was being pushed by the President's staunch allies to run in the 2022 elections.
In a statement, the DILG said additional personnel from the DSWD and the DILG have been deployed in all distribution sites in the City of Manila to supervise the pay-out of the Manila Social Welfare Department and ensure the orderly and systematic distribution of Ayuda.
“Secretary Eduardo M. Año has also directed PMGen Vicente Danao (Metro Manila police chief) to deploy additional police officers and social distance patrollers to the City of Manila for an orderly distribution,” the statement read.
Qualified recipients in Metro Manila are entitled to cash aids of P1,000 per individual with a maximum of P4,000 per household after the area was placed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20 to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) Delta variant.