Barangay Matandang Balara in Quezon City handed the social amelioration program (SAP) cash aid to women, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration on Monday that women in the family should handle the money instead of men.
Duterte was irritated by reports that most men use financial aid in non-important and illegal activities such as gambling, drinking, and buying illegal drugs instead of feeding their families.
The reports prompted President Duterte to say that it is better to hand the money to women than men, as they would most likely use it to meet their families’ needs amid the pandemic crisis.
Barangay Chairman Allan Franza said in an interview with GMA News that they instructed the male heads of the families to write a letter authorizing their spouses or female relatives to get their SAP cash aid.
Franza cited that there were times in his area when family troubles occur as the males spend the cash subsidy on their vices.
Some men disagreed with the new distribution system, including a male solo parent with three children who said it caused confusion on his case.
Others meanwhile said they are scared that their wives and female relatives would be relative would be exposed to the coronavirus if they go out since most men and not women acquired quarantine passes so they could buy essential goods.
The latest Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) data showed Barangay Matandang Balara has 41 COVID-9 cases, the third-highest number in the city next only to Barangays Batasan Hills with 57 and Culiat with 43.
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Violence against women and children amid pandemic
President Rodrigo Duterte said the police reported over 1,200 cases of violence against women and children since the lockdown started in March.
Duterte said in his latest report to Congress that PNP recorded 763 cases of crimes against women and 521 crimes against children amid the quarantine in Luzon.
“The PNP Women and Children Protection Desks are working closely with LGUs to ensure that the rights and welfare of women and children are protected during the ECQ,” Duterte said.
“Under [the] coronavirus regime, leaving violent relations is far more difficult and dangerous. The disease already poses a particularly grave challenge, and women and children do not deserve to suffer further, not especially in their homes,” Jacqueline De Guia, CHR spokesperson, said in April.