Malabon City Councilor Enzo Oreta has slammed the alleged “fake news” on the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) “ayuda” (financial assistance) distribution last year.
Oreta has reminded the Malabonians to be mindful against fake news spreading on social media.
“Mag-ingat tayo sa mga fake news na kumakalat na nag-uugnay sa atin sa naging distribution ng ECQ ayuda last year (Let's beware of the fake news connecting us to the distribution of ECQ aid last year),” Oreta said in Facebook post on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Nakakalungkot na itong mga panahon na maraming kahirapan tayong dinadaanan, may mga nagsasamantala at ginagamit ang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan upang gumawa ng kaguluhan at sirain lang ang ating pangalan,” (It is unfortunate that at this time when we are going through many hardships, there are people who exploit and use the situation of our countrymen to create chaos and destroy our name).
A group, in a Facebook post last Feb. 21, said that the reason why the residents in the city are complaining is because some of them only recieved P1,000 instead of the "promised" P4,000 cash assistance. Others also did not receive the help.
The councilor clarified that the amount given to the beneficiaries depends on the number of the members in a family -- P1,000 if there is only one member, P2,000 for two members, P3,000 for three, and P4,000 for four or more members.
He added that all those listed for the Social Amelioration Program (SAP)1 and 2, as well as Bayanihan 1, including the displaced workers and vulnerable groups (e.g. solo parents, persons with disabilities) should also have received the cash assistance.
Due to the reimposition of ECQ last year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has conducted another wave of ayuda distribution.
Some residents complained about the ayuda they have received.
Oreta conducted forums to address concerns and questions regarding the said cash distribution.
“Kahit na may mga ganitong paninira, makakaasa kayo na hindi tayo titigil sa paghahatid serbisyo (Even with such issues, you can expect that we will not stop delivering service).”