The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) received at least 8,000 complaints regarding the distribution of aid to families affected by the return of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal to enhanced community quarantine status.
"Very alarming iyan," PACC chairperson Greco Belgica said on Thursday, April 15, during the Laging Handa press briefing.
"Huwag na nating kupitan or pag-interesan iyong mga perang iyan na para sa tao, dahil kawawa naman ang tao. Kaunti na nga lamang iyan para sa pamilya nila, para sa kanila para mabuhay," Belgica added.
Beligca said that the PACC will meet with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in order to investigate and act on the complaints.
"Ibigay na natin sa kanila iyan, dahil kapag pinakialaman natin iyan and we will find out and when we find out. We will make sure that you are answerable to laws," the PACC official said.
"There are 42,000 barangays, we have 8,000 complaints. So marami nakakatanggap, and then kawawa naman iyong isang tao, isang pamilya na hindi nakakatanggap. So iyon lamang po ang aking paalala," he stressed.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of Php 22.9 billion worth of emergency subsidy for 22.9 million people in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) spokesperson Irene Dumlao said that a single household with at least four members could receive up to Php 4,000 worth of subsidy
The aid came after the Philippine government placed the National Capital Region and the four provinces under the most stringent community quarantine status on March 29 due to a recent surge of 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal remained under enhanced community quarantine status until April 11.