Politicians warned against using Covid-19 aid for political mileage

Politicians who use the government’s Covid-19 pandemic aid distribution for political mileage will be reprimanded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The department warned politicians against using its name or image in the distribution of the aid, or ayuda, in the National Capital Region-Plus (NCR-Plus), which is under general community quarantine (GCQ), according to the Inquirer.net.

NCR-Plus refers to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna, which were placed under GCQ for a week from March 29. The lockdown has been extended to April 11.

“The use of the ayuda for political purposes for the 2022 national elections is strictly prohibited.

“The DILG will not tolerate the politicisation of government aid or tolerate the practice when we see it or are made aware of it,” DILG spokesman, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said.

The aid refers to the 1,000 peso in cash or kind to be given to qualified people in NCR Plus.

Malaya said the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare and Development had issued guidelines for the distribution of the aid and that violators would be held liable if they were found using its name, logo, signature and any sort of image in government programmes, activities and projects.

“We will make sure that the funds downloaded to the LGUs (local government units) are used for purposes they were intended.

“Before distribution, the mayor should issue an executive order detailing the type, manner, or process of distribution so that the public is properly guided. They are also required to create a Grievance and Appeals Committee per LGU where people can submit complaints.

“The committee shall handle complaints from the public.”