Metro Manila mayors want assistance to be ‘in kind’ instead of cash

One mayor explained why Metro Manila mayors want to provide “in kind” assistance instead of cash as was done during the first enhanced community quarantine in 2020.

Parañaque Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairman Edwin Olivarez told TeleRadyo that this is supposed to avoid corruption and save more for the local government unit (LGU).

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He said it would be cheaper if they buy the product directly from manufacturers for a lower price.

“Ida-download ang pera, bibili ang LGU ng goods, tapos ibibigay po sa mga tao po ‘yun. Kapag po ganoon po, sufficient na po ‘yan. Kapag po P4,000 per household, napakaganda po niyan,” said Olivarez.

MMC will also lay out what products will be included in the in-kind assistance.

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“Kailangan po natin ng bigas. Kailangan po natin ng de-lata. Kailangan po natin ng noodles. ‘Yun pong basic lang po ang ibibigay. So ‘yan po ay pagkakasunduan namin sa MMC, kung anong specific na items,” said Olivarez.

Earlier, the Palace said that the mayors preferred the in-kind because some of the former aid allegedly only went into vices such as gambling.

Metro Manila mayors want assistance to be ‘in kind’ instead of cash

However, some netizens expressed concern over such an option because it is said to have a high chance of having a “kickback,” especially since the power is in the LGU.

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“So eto na nga. Busog nanaman sila sa overpricing, habang ang taumbayan magtitiis sa noodles at delata,” said a Twitter user.

“Wow. In kind. Imagine the “kickback” (Weary face) Kakapanghina,” another netizen said.

The ECQ will last in Metro Manila and some neighboring provinces, or NCR Plus, until April 4, but it is still possible to extend it according to the Palace.

Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured that the supply of manufactured basic commodities will be sufficient even if the enhanced community quarantine () is extended in Metro Manila and 4 neighboring provinces.

According to Trade Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte, the supply is sufficient even if the ECQ is extended to the so-called “ Plus” after April 4.

“Kaya po natin hiniling sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na payagan at 100 percnet ‘yong  manufacturer, gusto po natin masigurado na ang shelves po ng mga supermarket, public market, ‘yong tindahan po ay mayroon enough supply,” said Vizmonte in a Laging Handa public briefing.