Ched Rick Gatchalian

Calumpit officials visited the families affected by persistent rain and flooding to distribute relief packs on July 23, 2025. Screenshot from Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino's Facebook live

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'E-ayuda' mechanics of Calumpit gov't draw flak amid persistent rains, flooding

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753272693324Screenshot 2025-07-23 201007.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Calumpit, Bulacan officials visited the families affected by persistent rains and flooding to distribute relief packs on July 23, 2025. Screenshot from Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino&#x27;s Facebook live</div>BULACAN — An &quot;e-ayuda&quot; mechanism launched by the local government unit in Calumpit, Bulacan on Wednesday drew criticism after it encouraged residents to upload photos with their families — showing floodwaters inside their homes — for a chance to receive financial assistance.The<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1125703722946600&amp;set=a.225899572927024"> Facebook post</a> quickly went viral, garnering over 20,000 reactions and 9,000 shares, as several social media users criticized what they described as a &quot;raffle&quot; distribution of a supposed government aid.Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino wrote on her post the mechanics that initially said only those who would win the real-time drawing of selected comments would receive the financial aid through a digital wallet app.To join, residents should comment a photo with their families showing the floodwater in their homes, together with some personal information. They are also encouraged to share the post and tag some of their Facebook friends until 5 p.m. on the same day.&quot;Abangan at tumutok sa ating LIVE mamayang gabi para sa live na pagbunot ng mga mapipiling comments at makakatanggap ng E-Ayuda mula sa ating Pamahalaang Bayan,&quot; Faustino added.However, some critics argued that government service should be inclusive to all affected residents and must not be a &quot;game of luck.&quot;On Wednesday night, Faustino held a Facebook live alongside other LGU officials, explaining that the &quot;e-ayuda&quot; was only one of their efforts to help the affected families. She said they also conducted house-to-house visits and provided assistance in areas hit by the inclement weather.&quot;House-to-house po ang ginawa namin para makapag-abot po ng tulong sa mga kababayan po natin. Ito pong e-ayuda na ito, isa lang po itong pamamaraan para makapag-abot tayo ng tulong sa mga kababayan,&quot; she explained.She also said that all individuals who complied with her post would now get financial assistance.&quot;Nag-post tayo from 1 p.m. hanggang 5 p.m., so lahat po ng post na nag-post po doon ng picture together with their family and may baha sa kanilang bahay — ito po ang sinasabi ko lagi na wala po kaming pinipili. Lahat po nag-post ay magbibigyan po natin ng tulong through G-Cash po,&quot; she stated.Other officials reasoned that the photos were only asked to verify the most affected residents. Faustino explained that the budget is tight and they need to prioritize the most vulnerable.&quot;Kaya rin po tayo naglalagay ng pictures para makita po natin ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan natin,&quot; she said.Calumpit LGU officials also shared they are continuing their &quot;long term plans&quot; for flood prevention while also distributing the financial aid.&quot;Ang importante po rito ay &#x27;yung bawat isa nagtutulungan... &#x27;Yung pamba-bash o paninira ay hindi po natin &#x27;yan ie-entertain dahil bawat isa po rito, mga konsehal, basa pa po rito hanggang ngayon. Kahit po masama pakiramdam ng ilan sa konsehal ngayon, tuloy po ang ating pagbibigay ng tulong,&quot; Faustino explained.&quot;Kami po ay lalong magpapalakas at magpe-pray na sana ay tuloy-tuloy ang tulong na mabibigay po natin sa mga kababayan,&quot; she added.Calumpit was placed under a state of calamity on Tuesday due to the effects of persistent rains and flooding.

It encouraged residents to upload photos with their families — showing floodwaters inside their homes — for a chance to receive ayuda.

It encouraged residents to upload photos with their families — showing floodwaters inside their homes — for a chance to receive ayuda.

'E-ayuda' of Calumpit LGU draws flak

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'E-ayuda' of Calumpit LGU draws flak

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2025 08:54 PM PHT

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