Isko Moreno: Manila to start distributing ayuda Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the Manila Department of Social Welfare will start distributing the cash aid from the national government starting Wednesday, August 11.

In a Facebook Live video stream on Tuesday night, Moreno advised residents to observe minimum health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Bukas po ide-deploy na ng Manila Social Welfare ang ayuda. Congratulations sa inyong lahat mga kababayan. Masayang-masaya po ako na mabibigay na ang ayuda bukas. Handa na po ngunit, mga kababayan, mag-behave tayo," Moreno said.

(Tomorrow, the Manila Social Welfare Department will start distributing the cash aid. Congratulations to all our citizens. I'm pleased that the cash aid will be distributed. It's ready, but, my fellow citizens, let us behave correctly.)

"Kusang disiplina. 'Wag kayong mag-alala kung anuman ang kakulangan, gagawan natin ng paraan pero ang importante naibigay natin kaagad ang ayuda sa taong bayan dahil mahirap ang buhay," he added.

(Self-discipline. Don't worry, whatever the problems, we will solve them. What is important is the cash aid is distributed immediately because the situation is difficult.)

Moreno also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of National Defense.

"Tuloy po ang delivery ng ayuda bukas sa bawat pamilyang Manileño," the mayor said.

(The cash aid will be distributed tomorrow among each Manila family.)

On Monday night, Duterte ordered the DILG and DSWD to take over the distribution of the financial assistance in LGUs whose officials are unable to distribute it in an orderly manner.

Duterte cited LGUs "[without] planning and preparation to prevent overcrowding and disorder during distribution," and said these included one local government in the National Capital Region, which he did not name.

During the talk, Duterte also questioned the moral ascendancy of someone, who has sexy photos, to lead the country.

Duterte did not mention any name but Moreno, Francisco Domagoso in real life, is a former undergarment model and actor before he was elected to public office.

Malacañang, meanwhile, denied that Duterte was attacking Moreno.

Moreno posted on his Facebook account Tuesday morning the certificates of recognition given by the DILG and DSWD for the "timely and efficient" distribution of cash assistance to Manila residents.

Moreno is ranking second to third in pre-election polls on possible 2022 presidential bets.

Aksyon Demokratiko — the party of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno — has taken exception to Duterte's remarks.

“Kung ang City of Manila ang punterya niya, DILG na mismo ang nagsabi na efficient and timely ang pamimigay ng ayuda doon,” Aksyon Demokratiko said in Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras."

“Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, busy ulit ang ating Pangulo sa pang-aaway, tsismis, at pamumulitak. Tigilan ang pamumulitika at huwag gamitin ang pandemya upang isulong ang politikal at personal na interes para sa sariling pamilya,” it added. — DVM, GMA News