Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. clarified on Tuesday, Aug. 23, that the department’s main task is to provide logistic support to the Department of the Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the education cash aid distribution.
In an interview over GMA News, Abalos pointed out that the cash aid will only be handled by the DSWD from its main office to the regional offices through the paymaster.
“Ang gagawin ng DILG ay mag aassist (in the cash aid distribution) lang po kami (What the DILG will do is just provide assistance),’’ Abalos emphasized.
He explained that the process allows a more systematic cash aid distribution to the qualified beneficiaries with the DILG and DSWD having clear responsibilities.
Abalos stressed that the DILG will provide the manpower, police assistance and logistical support like the cash assistance venue, sound system, transportation and chairs.
When pressed for the number of recipients, Abalos stated that the list is with the DSWD and not with the DILG.
In a recent meeting, Abalos said that DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo told him that recipients of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are no longer qualified to receive the educational financial assistance.
Signed on April 17, 2019 the 4Ps is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest among the poor.
On Aug. 20, Tulfo said that the 4Ps beneficiaries and government scholars are not qualified for the DILG’s cash aid and those who got it must return the amount.
He issued the clarification after the chaotic incidents where a huge crowd gathered at the DSWD central and regional offices among them the 4Ps beneficiaries and government scholars wanting to get the one-time dole-out. (Chito A. Chavez)