MANILA - Local officials may appeal the number of poor families in their areas who are eligible to receive cash aid from government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Wednesday.
This, after some local officials raised concerns that the list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development of low income households in their areas was based on a 2015 census.
Government has adjusted its list based on population growth and added 1.5 million recipients, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.
"My own personal suggestion to them is prioritize the poorest of the poor kung kulang man ang forms na ibinigay sa'tin ng DSWD. Ang hindi makasama ilagay natin sa 2nd batch at ipadala agad sa DSWD," he told radio DZMM.
"We were guaranteed by Sec. (Rolando) Bautista these will be consolidated and brought to attention of the Secretary of Finance para mahanapan ng pondo."
Government began its 2020 census but it was disrupted by the pandemic, Malaya said.
He added that he would raise to Cabinet officials the suggestion of some local officials to divide government's cash aid equally to include all residents.
Those who are currently eligible for the financial assistance are low income families and those working in the informal sector, Malaya said.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who have cash cards no longer need to accomplish DSWD forms as the assistance has already been deposited in their accounts, Malaya added.
DZMM, DILG, Jonathan Malaya, DSWD, cash aid, social amelioration program, COVID-19, coronavirus, COVID-19 cash aid