The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said there will be no delay in the distribution of ayuda (financial aid) from the national government for low-income individuals in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“As agreed with the Metro Manila Council, all local government units (LGUs) in the NCR will be starting their Ayuda II distribution today (Wednesday), including the City of Manila,” DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a news release.

He said that the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will supervise the start of the cash aid distribution in the city of Manila to ensure the orderly conduct of payout activities in the city.

Malaya said officials and representatives of the DILG, DSWD, and the Department of National Defense (DND) led by DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista spearheaded the ceremonial distribution of ayuda at the Jose Abad Santos High School in Binondo, Manila at 9:30 a.m.

He said additional personnel from the DSWD and the DILG have been deployed in all distribution sites in the city of Manila to supervise the payout of the Manila Department of Social Welfare and ensure the orderly and systematic distribution of ayuda.

“Secretary Eduardo M. Año has also directed (National Capital Region Police Office chief) Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao to deploy additional police officers and social distance patrollers to the City of Manila for an orderly distribution,” he said.

In other LGUs, representatives of national government agencies that are members of the Joint Monitoring and Inspection Committee will also be present in all distribution points to monitor the distribution and ensure compliance to Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 3.

He said that the DILG, DSWD, and DND are committed to ensuring that the distribution of financial assistance is timely, orderly, and given to qualified beneficiaries. (PNA)