DSWD to help in monitoring implementation of financial aid to low-income families at NCR plus

IN its continuing effort to provide technical assistance to local government units (LGUS) in the National Capital Region (NCR) plus, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will help in monitoring the implementation of the financial aid for low-income families affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) measure.

As member of the Joint Monitoring and Inspection Team (JMIT), the DSWD, together with the DILG City/municipal Local Government Operations Office, Philippine National Police, City /Provincial Prosecutors Office, and civil society organizations (CSOS), will help address grievances of beneficiaries, monitor LGU compliance with applicable guidelines, seek the assistance of higher authorities in case of undue delay or systemic anomalies in the distribution, and cause the filing of administrative or criminal cases against public officials in irregular or unlawful practice relative to the financial aid. The creation of the JMIT is stipulated in the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2021 on the implementation of the financial aid.

Under the JMC, the DSWD, together with the DILG and the Department of National Defense will provide technical assistance to the LGUS on their respective areas of concern.

The JMC also specified that each LGU is required to create a Grievance and Appeals Committee to address grievances from beneficiaries. The committee shall maintain a hotline to receive complaints and expeditiously act on these.

The DSWD encouraged the beneficiaries to submit complaints on the delivery of the financial aid through the different grievance redress platforms of their respective LGUS.

The Department said that by monitoring the implementation of the latest cash subsidy, the public can be assured that the financial assistance is given to the rightful beneficiaries and government funds are used for its intended purpose.