No ayuda in areas under granular lockdown? LGUs have not made requests yet — DILG exec

Local government units supposedly have not made any requests for the food packs which will be given to residents affected by the granular lockdown, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said Tuesday.

Malaya was asked to comment on a report saying there is no assistance being disbursed to more than 3,000 families affected by the granular lockdown. He said it is the Department of Social Welfare and Development that provides the food packs to the LGUs upon the latter's request.

"I was told by the DSWD that the LGUs have not made any requests yet to the DSWD but they already have 1,000 food packs ready for deployment," Malaya told GMA News Online.

"The DSWD is ready to deploy anytime provided the request is made by the LGUs," he added.

Malaya also clarified that there is no financial aid anymore as the national government already spent P11.2 billion last month in the National Capital Region alone; but he said it would be up to LGUs if they will provide cash assistance to their affected constituents.

"Some 11.2 million low-income individuals in NCR received the ayuda. LGUs may provide financial aid at their discretion to those under granular lockdown," he said.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. had asked the DSWD to give the lockdown assistance to LGUs. He said it was agreed that 50% of aid will come from the national government.

As of posting time, the DSWD has not replied yet to GMA News Online when asked to comment on the issue. — RSJ, GMA News