HOUSE committee on social services chairman and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas on Wednesday proposed the creation of online grievance desks to handle complaints and concerns regarding the disbursement of cash aid from the national government.

Vargas said this would minimize physical contact especially in view of the highly-contagious nature of the Delta variant.

At the same time, Vargas lauded the move of Quezon City and other local governments to post the list of cash aid recipients on its official Facebook account.

“This innovative approach will definitely help eliminate the need for people to go to the disbursement centers and undergo a tedious process of verification. This is usually where the unnecessary crowding begins. I hope other LGUs (local government units) will do what Mayor Joy Belmonte has done,” Vargas said.

The disbursement of cash assistance from the national government is set to start this Wednesday.

Vargas noted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and several local governments have set up grievance mechanisms to deal with issues regarding the cash aid.

“But in the interest of the health and safety of the beneficiaries, it would be best if we have grievance desks online to reduce if not eliminate the need to be physically present to file a complaint or grievance,” he said.

Vargas said the DSWD and the LGUs can open special sections in their Facebook and other social media accounts to receive and reply to grievances.

“Lahat naman halos ay nasa Facebook at sa social media, magmula sa beneficiaries hanggang sa LGUs at DSWD. Gamitin natin ito para na rin sa kapakanan ng lahat. Ang DOH at ang lahat ng experts ay nagbabala tungkol sa Delta variant. Kaya dapat iwasan ang mga pagtitipon na pwedeng maging super spreader events,” he added.

Vargas said cash aid beneficiaries are already encountering financial difficulties because of the loss of employment and livelihood opportunities.

“Magiging dagdag na pasanin sa kanila, hindi man trahedya, kung sila ay magkakasakit ng COVID dahil lamang gusto nilang humingi na linaw sa mga isyu tungkol sa ayuda,” he said.

At the same time, Vargas said the concerned agencies should make sure that these grievances are resolved at the soonest time possible.

“These grievances should be acted upon within a specific period of time. The cash aid is intended to help the beneficiaries endure the two-week lockdown. Resolving their grievances should be done within a 24-hour period. Any further delays would defeat the purpose of the aid,” he said.