MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to lead the distribution of relief goods and financial assistance to residents affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
This, after reports of local officials abusing the release of relief assistance amid the imposed enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
“Tinanggal ko sa politiko kasi maraming reklamo. Tinanggal ko sa politiko ‘yung distribution ng pera pati ang bigas na pagkain (I removed the responsibility of relief distribution – money and goods – from local officials due to mounting complaints),” the President said in his televised broadcast on Wednesday evening (April 1.)
“Ibinigay ko kay Secretary Bautista lahat na iyan kasi itong DSWD may sariling distribution network na iyan, ang Pantawid (Pamilyang Pilipino Program). Idagdag na lang nila doon sa matatanggap doon sa recipient ng Pantawid, (I assign everything to Secretary Bautista because DSWD already has an established distribution network, the Pantawid [Pamilyang Pilipino program]. They will just include in the list additional recipients). ” he added.
The Chief Executive directed Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez to assist the DSWD on the matter.
President Duterte has been vocal in his warning to local officials not to engage in corruption and refrain from politicizing the distribution of relief assistance to vulnerable sectors. MNP (with input from Rosalie Coz)
