THE Caloocan City government has earned praises from state auditors for its efficient distribution of P1.343 billion cash assistance to its poor households while Metro Manila was under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last year.
The financial assistance was released under the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Department of Social Welfare and Development-Department of National Defense Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3 signed on August 9, 2021.
Each beneficiary was supposed to receive P1,000 per individual and a maximum of P4,000 per household.
Auditors said 402,386 low-income households of Caloocan City or 1,342,714 individuals received their share of the government stipend within the deadline set under JMC No. 3.
With authority from the Bids and Awards Committee, former Mayor Oscar Malapitan awarded the distribution contract to a third-party servicing company, Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC) for P22.53 million.
Based on the contract, USSC was required to undertake the validation of the city government’s beneficiary database based on valid identification documents to be submitted by the claimants and to complete the distribution within 10 days.
“Out of the 422,442 eligible households listed in the City’s database, a total of 402,836 households or 1,342,714 individuals received financial assistance. Each recipient was vetted carefully from valid identification cards, digital signatures, and photo,” the audit team noted.
Figures provided by the USSC showed 217,168 families received the maximum P4,000 assistance; 119,072 households received P3,000; 50,230 received P2,000; and 16,366 individuals received P1,000.
The Caloocan City Social Welfare and Development affirmed that the entire disbursement process — from updating the database of beneficiaries to the distribution of the cash benefits — was completed with only “minor glitches and complaints” including late arrival of distribution and absence of a text reply after three days.
“We reviewed the terminal reports submitted by USSC which showed the funds were distributed through mobile cash caravans on venues provided by the City, i.e., covered courts and public schools. The distribution was completed on August 22, 2021, two days ahead of the deadline,” the COA said.
“We recognized and commended the City’s efforts in executing the program and deploying much-needed financial assistance to its constituents in a swift and timely manner, embracing technology to provide effective delivery of services during these uncertain times amid a global health pandemic,” it added.