MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has once again extended the deadline for the distribution of cash aid under the national government’s Social Amelioration Program.
DILG secretary Eduardo Año said the nationwide distribution was extended anew due to challenges in areas with a large number of population, including the National Capital Region, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cebu and Davao City.
“We have received reports from our field offices na kahit na 24/7 ang pamimigay ng ayuda ay mahihirapan talagang ma-meet ng LGUs ang May 7 deadline lalo na ‘yung mga nasa Metro Manila,” he said in an interview with DZBB.
Año added that 985 out of 1,634 local government units (LGUs) have already completed the cash aid distribution as of Wednesday evening.
Those LGUs who would still fail to meet the Sunday deadline will receive show cause orders from the agency.
“This is the last extension that we will grant to the LGUs. Our people cannot wait any longer,” he said.
The DILG official added that once the Department of Social Welfare and Development accepts the liquidation of the LGUs on the first tranche, the second tranche will immediately be handed to the local officials.
Año has also he ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to exempt those individuals distributing and getting the cash aid from the curfew being implemented as part of the enhanced community quarantine.
Around 18 million low-income families were targeted to receive monthly cash subsidies ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 for two months as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469)./PN
