ILOILO CITY, August 25, 2022. Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) attended the back to back activities of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) both held at the Iloilo Convention Center. Checks were awarded to ECLIP beneficiaries while the newly elected officials of the LMP – Iloilo Chapter were inducted. Institutionalized to help rebel members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan restore their allegiance to the Philippine government, the ECLIP provides financial benefits such as reintegration and livelihood assistance to aid former insurgents back into their communities. “Now is the time for embracing everyone. Gawin natin ang lahat upang maramdaman nila na hindi sila magsisisi,” said SILG Abalos as the ECLIP financial assistance was distributed to its beneficiaries from the Iloilo Province. He also assured the former rebels that they would not regret returning to the fold of government as various agencies do their parts in strengthening peace and order efforts. In addition, members of the Regional Management Coordinating Committee (RMCC) were present to meet SILG Abalos and discuss pertinent matters and concerns of their respective offices. RMCC members are composed of the Regional Directors of DILG VI, Police Regional Office (PRO 6), Philippine National Police (PNP 6), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM 6), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP 6), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP 6).
DILG Statement on the Iloilo District Jail Incident
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) views with great concern the protest made by the inmates at the Iloilo District Jail where they climbed onto the roof of the prison building allegedly because of lack of food and to demand for the relief of the jail warden. We have ordered Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Chief, Jail Director Allan Iral to conduct an immediate investigation on the unfortunate incident and to temporarily relieve Jail Chief Inspector Norberto Miciano from his post as jail warden to give way to an impartial investigation.
DILG to LGUs: Assist DSWD in distribution of educational assistance
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary today urged all local government units (LGUs) to extend necessary support to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the distribution of educational financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said LGUs must provide manpower support to facilitate an orderly distribution of the financial assistance and provide fixed venues where the distribution of the AICS in the cities and municipalities may be conveniently conducted. “In cases of cities and big municipalities, it is encouraged to have multiple distribution centers to avoid over-crowding of students and their parents,” he said. Abalos issued the directive in response to the request of DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo for LGUs to help facilitate the distribution of the AICS educational cash aid after people came in droves to the DSWD Central and regional offices. “We call on our LGUs to respond proactively to the appeal of DSWD Secretary Tulfo. Hindi naman tayo bago sa mga ganitong pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal sa ating mga kababayan. Let us step up and extend all the help that we can provide for the success of the distribution of financial aid to our students,” he said. Abalos said that according to the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DILG and DSWD, DSWD must coordinate with the LGUs for the conduct of information dissemination on the guidelines, mechanics, and schedule for registration of beneficiaries and distribution of assistance. “In this massive undertaking, we look to our LGUs to assist us to be able to send out the AICS to the students who need them the most. Malaking bagay po ito para sa ating mga kababayan kaya naman inaaasahan natin ang tulong ng mga pamahalaang lokal,” he said. The DILG Chief, however, clarified that while LGUs will assist in the distribution of the financial assistance, it will be the DSWD personnel and social workers, not local government personnel or barangays, who will give out the monetary aid. “Mayroon po tayong tinatawag na paymasters ng DSWD na siyang mangangasiwa sa pamimigay ng assistance. Ang LGU po ay naroon upang umalalay.” He said DSWD shall provide the DILG with the list of LGUs where the distribution will be conducted together with the date and time of the distribution. Implemented by the DSWD, the AICS provides various protective services for vulnerable families, including education assistance to help defray the cost of tuition fees and school expenses. Under this program, elementary students from indigent families will each be provided with P1,000; high school students, P2,000: senior high school students, P3,000; and college students, P4,000. Police support for AICS Abalos also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide police support during the implementation of the AICS to help ensure the orderly, safe and secure transport, delivery and distribution of funds. He said that just like previous ‘ayuda’ distributions, the police would maintain order and ensure the safety of the people during the educational aid distribution. He added that minimum public health standards (MPHS) must also be implemented as much as possible as the country is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic and has tallied three cases of Monkeypox. Abalos likewise encouraged LGUs to continue to implement their best practices in the distribution of financial assistance in terms of crowd management and mode of dissemination such as digital or online payouts. He also reminded the beneficiaries to cooperate and adhere to the parameters set by the DILG and DSWD to ensure a more organized distribution of cash aid. “Hinihiling po natin sa ating mga kababayan na makiisa po at pairalain ang disiplina kapag sila ay kukuha ng kanilang educational assistance para organized po tayo.” ###
DILG Statement of Support for DepEd’s Oplan Balik Eskwela
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), including all our attached agencies and local government units (LGUs), supports the Department of Education (DepEd) in ensuring the smooth implementation of Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) for the opening of classes this School Year 2022-2023 today, August 22, 2022. As early as July, we have already worked with LGUs to undertake the necessary measures and preparations in coordination with concerned government agencies ensuring the smooth opening of classes and the safety and security of the students. Among such measures are: to ensure that the road networks near schools are secure, clean, and free from obstructions and hindrances; coordinate with DepEd and the Department of Public Works and Highways for the conduct of building inspections to ensure the structural integrity of school facilities; utilize their Special Education Fund for the construction, repair, and maintenance of school buildings and facilities; and, ensure the placement of measures to prevent the outbreak of dengue fever.
DILG Region VI holds Mid-Year Strategic Planning Conference
Aimed at redirecting the region’s 2022 Annual Operations Plan and Budget (OPB) for the 2nd semester, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region VI held a 3-day Mid-Year Planning Conference at District 21 Hotel, Iloilo City from August 10th to August 12th. Participants from the DILG Regional, Provincial, and City offices gathered to devise strategies and set priorities that would maximize resources, strengthen operations, and ensure cohesive work towards a common goal.