National News
PRRD ‘careful’ in distributing Covid-19 relief efforts
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday disclosed that he is “careful” in processing the release of PHP200-billion worth of emergency subsidies that would be granted to 18 million poor households affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country.
In an address to the nation aired on state-run PTV-4, Duterte said he was meticulous when it came to the details of the distribution of relief to avoid the PHP3,000 lang. Kupit doon (That’s possible commission of corrupt activities why I’m careful. I need the LGUs and village captains but there’s a possibility by some unscrupulous individuals. that the money would be pilfered that He also explained that he had beneficiaries might get only PHP3,000 to strip local government units (LGUs) instead of PHP5,000),” Duterte said. of their role to provide emergency aid On Wednesday, the President to make sure that beneficiaries would receive the full financial aid from the tapped the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) national government. to lead the relief efforts, following “Kaya careful ako. Tinanggal ko. complaints on the supposed unfair Wala akong sinabi sa LGU. Wala rin distribution of relief by some LGUs. akong sinabi sa barangay captain. While he acknowledged the Kailangan ko sila. Pero maya, ‘yung magdating doon, makulang ang pera. complaints against LGUs, Duterte said ‘Pag ibigay mo, PHP5,000, ibigay, he believes that mayors and village
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| APRIL 4-10, 2020
