LGU May payout to be delayed if they do not give their liquidation report

April 23, 2020

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday told local government units (LGU)  there will be a delay on the release of their May payout if they fail to submit their liquidation report before the end of April.

In a virtual briefing, DSWD Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje said ;“The DSWD will be forced to not give the second tranche of the emergency subsidy to any LGUs who will not submit their liquidation report.”

“It is stated on the memorandum of agreement signed by DSWD and LGUs that they are the one who is responsible for the distribution and disbursement of funds in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of COA’s (Commission on Audit) accounting and auditing,” he said.

He said the deadline for the submission of the report is 15 days after the LGUs finished distributing the social amelioration fund.

Paje reiterated that LGUs will face sanction if they found out that the cash assistance was given to unqualified beneficiaries.

“They (LGUs) should refund the money to the DSWD,” he said. “It is stated on the omnibus guidelines that LGU officials who will give emergency subsidy to unqualified beneficiaries will be subject to investigation to determine their civil, administrative and criminal liability.”

On the posting of list of beneficiaries, the undersecretary said only the names and not the personal information of the beneficiaries will be posted based on their agreement with the LGU.

“Personal information of the individual beneficiaries will not be posted following the Data Privacy Act,” he said.

He said posting the list at barangay halls will help local government officials from facing charges for wrong distribution of cash assistance.

As of April 22, DSWD distributed P75.7 billion fund for 1, 456 local government units where P27.9 were given to 5.7 million SAP beneficiaries.

To fast track the distribution of SAP, the Interior Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano is set to release directives for LGUs.

“The DILG is monitoring the distribution and I think Secretary Ano will release a directive so that LGUs will immediately finish their SAP distribution,” Malaya said in a separate virtual briefing.

Meanwhile, in a radio interview, Malaya discouraged governors and mayors from distributing cash assistance following reports their move caused mass gathering which is not allowed during the enhanced community quarantine.

“Distribution of SAP should be house-to- house... I appeal to all (LGU officials) to follow ECQ guidelines so that they will not reach the point of receiving a show cause order,” he said.

“Let the barangay officials do the distribution,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS