Nearly 75 percent "ayuda'' disbursed in NCR +, DILG targets 100 percent distribution by May 15
By Chito Chavez
The distribution of the P22.9 billion financial assistance to the qualified beneficiaries in Metro Manila and four adjacent provinces that were placed under stricter quarantine rules should be completed by May 15, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.
In a briefing with President Duterte on May 3, Año reported that P17 billion of the P22.9 billion earmarked for the cash aid in the NCR (National Capital Region)-plus comprising Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal has been distributed. He added that 17,037,122 out of the 22,915,422 or 74.35 percent of the NCR-plus intended already received the payout.
In Metro Manila 8,632,336 out of the 11,172,988 or 77.26 percent of the recipients got their “ayuda’’ (cash aid) while 2,168,243 out of the 2,967,039 or 73.08 percent of the beneficiaries in Bulacan got their share.
The DILG chief noted that 2,188,380 out of 3,444,488 or 63.53 percent of beneficiaries in Cavite have already benefited from the government’s cash aid while 2,307,825 out of 2,718,083 or 84.91 percent of the recipients got theirs in Laguna.
In Rizal, 66.61 percent or 1,740,338 out of the 2,612,824 poor families already received their ayuda.
Año also noted that 59,669 complaints were received by the LGUs while 24.421 had been resolved and 39,781 others are still under deliberation.
In the same briefing, Año reported that from April 27 to 30, the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted 1,040 operations where 1,378 arrests were made and 12 deaths were recorded and nine people having surrendered during the four day police operations.
Año noted that the PNP’s illegal drug operations has resulted in the confiscation of 35.3 kilos of shabu and 103.17 kilos of marijuana collectively valued at P252,909,235.20. (Chito A. Chavez)