NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) personnel who will be deployed in cash aid distribution in Metro Manila, were reminded to guarantee that the activity will not turn into a “super spreader event.”
The reminder was given by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar as local government units in Metro Manila, which is under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), started the distribution of cash assistance to low-income families on Wednesday, August 11.
“Our prime directive to our police personnel was to ensure that the distribution of cash aid won’t become super spreader events. We all know that residents need assistance during ECQ so they will most likely flock in large numbers to cash distribution areas,” PGen Eleazar said.
“This is where the police will come in to make sure that minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols are observed, especially social distancing and the wearing of face masks and face shields,” he added.
He recalled the incident last week wherein the vaccination processes in some parts of Metro Manila needed to be cancelled because of overcrowding.
“What happened in vaccination centers must not happen during cash aid distribution,” he said.
PGen Eleazar said the cops should be aware of the schedule and system of cash aid distribution in their areas of responsibility.
“We already coordinated with LGU officials because they will take the lead in cash aid distribution. The role of the police is to provide security and ensure the orderly process in cash aid distribution,” he said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government has said that most of the LGUs will release the funds through various distribution points. The mayors will also post the list of beneficiaries and their schedule for claiming the cash assistance.