(File photo)
MANILA – Some local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus area have returned excess funds after fully distributing the national government's financial assistance to 22.9 million beneficiaries affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) declaration in these areas in late March.
“Masaya ko pong ibabalita sa ating Pangulo na naka-100 porsyento na po ang status ng pamamahagi ng ayuda sa NCR Plus. Kaya gusto po nating bigyan ng pagkilala at binabati natin ang mga governors, ang chairman ng MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), ang ating mga mayors, ang mga barangay captains ng NCR Plus, mga kawani ng DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) at DND (Department of National Defense) sa 100 percent accomplishment (I am happy to inform our President that the status of the distribution of aid to NCR Plus is 100 percent. So we want to give recognition and we congratulate the governors, the chairman of MMDA, our mayors, the barangay captains of NCR Plus, staff of DILG, DSWD and DND on 100 percent accomplishment),” Interior Secretary Año said during a pre-recorded meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night.
Año noted that the surplus in funds was due to beneficiaries who have failed to claim their aid even after the LGUs exhausted all efforts to locate them.
Out of a total of PHP11.16 billion allotted to Metro Manila LGUs, only the city of Navotas returned surplus funds worth PHP4.857 million to the national treasury.
In Cavite, the cities of Bacoor and Imus and the towns of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Magallanes returned a total of PHP20,539,300 in excess funds.
Meanwhile, only the town of Los Baños returned PHP65,546 excess funds while Baras town in Rizal returned excess funds worth PHP841,000.
The province of Bulacan fully distributed its allotted funds worth PHP2.96 billion.
125K apprehended for breach of health protocols
Meanwhile, Año also reported that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has apprehended 125,587 individuals from May 17 to 30 for violating minimum public health standards amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Out of this number, 95,357 were apprehended for not wearing face shields -- 3,657 of whom were charged while the rest were either given a warning, fined, or were ordered to render community service.
A total of 1,697 individuals were accosted for mass gathering while another 28,533 were apprehended for violating physical distancing rules.
“Dahil sa nakita nating pagtaas ng violations, magtutulungan ang DILG, PNP at DOJ (Department of Justice) upang mapaigting ang pagdidisiplina at pagpaparusa sa mga lumalabag sa mga lokal at national na batas, ordinansa at protocol na naglalayong mabawasan at tuluyang mapigil ang pagkalat ng Covid-19 sa bansa (Due to the continuous increase in the number of violators, the DILG, PNP, and DOJ will work together to intensify discipline and punishment of violators of local and national laws, ordinances and protocols aimed at reducing and ultimately curbing the spread of Covid-19 in the country),” Año said.
He added that the three agencies are set to release a joint memorandum circular on guidelines on dealing with violations of health and safety ordinances, quarantine-related violations, and other related violations during the health crisis.
Vaccination fast lane for priority sectors
Meanwhile, Año renewed his call for LGUs to only obtain essential information from registrants and also have a fast lane for A1 (medical front-liners), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) categories to help fast-track the country’s vaccination drive.
“According to (National Task Force Against Covid-19) Secretary (Carlito) Galvez, we will start opening the vaccination for A4 (front-liners in essential sectors) as well as the A5 (indigent population). So in preparation, we are still reminding LGUs to give priority to A1, A2, and A3 by establishing a fast lane or special lane, simple registration for our seniors and those with disabilities, and providing special services to our A2 and A3 through house-to-house vaccination and providing shuttle services to make sure we can boost our vaccination for A2 and A3 because they are the vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Relentless anti-drug drive
Meanwhile, the government continues to wage a relentless crackdown on illegal drugs amid the pandemic.
Año said the PNP confiscated a total of PHP46,313,965 worth of narcotics, including shabu and marijuana in 1,002 operations from May 26 to 30.
A total of 1,356 suspects were arrested while 26 were killed during these operations, he added. (PNA)
