Nine in 10 of the poorest Filipino families received cash from the government to help them cope with the coronavirus pandemic, the interior department said Monday.

About 90.86 percent of 18 million beneficiary families received the aid as of Sunday night, said Interior Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya. Local officials had until Sunday to complete distribution.

Those who failed to meet the deadline, extended twice earlier, would be asked to explain in writing, he told DZMM.

"Hangga't hindi binabawi ng DSWD ang pondong hawak ninyo, tulo-tuloy lang. Kailangan ang pamimigay," he said.

(Until the DSWD recalls your funds, you should continue the distribution.)

The interior department will post on social media a list of local governments that completed the payout, he said.

The government initially allotted P200 billion to give the poorest families P5,000 to P8,000 each for 2 months. The program will be expanded to cover 5 million more families.

After liquidation of the first tranche, local governments will get funds for the second tranche from the social welfare department "hopefully before the end of the month," said Malaya.

The police is investigating 183 village officials for alleged graft and corruption in connection with the aid, he said in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier promised P30,000 for every confirmed report of corruption. The public may coordinate with investigators through hotline 8888, police stations and the interior department, said Malaya.

DZMM, May 11, 2020