MANILA, Philippines – The delay in the rollout of the government’s social amelioration program for workers affected by the COVID-19 lockdown was due to the inability of local government units (LGU) to produce a list of beneficiaries. ADVERTISEMENTThis was the reason provided by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista on Wednesday night in reaction to netizens asking about the lack of social aid given that funds from the 2020 budget had already been diverted to such an end. Bautista said there were problems in the list of beneficiaries from LGU. “The list of people who would receive financial aid was not available. Bautista asked for the public’s patience, noting that this was the first time for the government to create a comprehensive social aid program due to a pandemic.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 08, 2020 18:24 UTC