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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Belgica reminds LGUs: Do not politicize cash aid distribution, vaccination

Belgica reminds LGUs: Do not politicize cash aid distribution, vaccination

Published Aug 15, 2021 09:43 am

Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director-General Jeremiah Belgica reminded local government officials to not politicize the distribution of financial assistance and vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as these activities were important in overcoming the present health crisis.

Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director-General Jeremiah Belgica (Photo from ARTA)

Belgica made the statement after visiting different vaccination sites in different areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) early this week amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the region until August 20.

According to the anti-red tape czar, public servants should not use the distribution of cash aid and vaccination for their political gains as the 2022 elections inched closer.

"Iwasan po natin gamitin sa politika ang pagbibigay po ng ayuda at vaccination (Let's avoid politicizing the distribution of cash aid and the vaccination)," he said.

"Mahalaga po na maibigay natin sa taumbayan ang kanilang serbisyong kinakailangan (It's important that we give to our constituents the service that they needed)," he added.

Recently, ARTA issued show-cause orders to three barangay officials from Quezon City and Parañaque who were reportedly implementing a "no vaccination, no quarantine pass" policy.

In a statement, the agency said village executives already submitted their explanations to ARTA for evaluation.

"Uulitin ko ho, wala sa mga rekisito ng pamahalaan para makakuha ng quarantine pass o kahit ayuda ang vaccination card (Let me repeat: a vaccination card is not a requirement to get quarantine passes or cash aid)," he said.

"Isumbong niyo ho sa amin ang sinumang nagpapatupad nito at titiyakin naming mapananagot ang mga ito sa batas (Tell us if somebody is implementing this policy and we will make sure that they will be held liable)," he added, referring to the Ease of Doing Business Act.

Malacañang and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have clarified that no such policy existed.

Related Tags

Anti-Red Tape Authority ARTA Jeremiah Belgica covid-19 vaccination 2022 elections AYUDA Cash aid
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