Cheyenne Suarez

Calumpit 'e-Ayuda' not illegal but open to abuse, says DILG chief

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned Thursday the &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/7/23/-e-ayuda-of-calumpit-lgu-draws-flak-2054">e-ayuda</a>&quot; mechanism launched by the local government unit in Calumpit, Bulacan is open to abuse even if it does not violate any law.Under the mechanism, Calumpit residents were encouraged to post photos of themselves and their flooded homes on Facebook for a chance to receive financial assistance, which would be sent via a digital wallet app. “Sa tingin ko wala naman siyang nilabag na batas. Ang danger lang dyan ay open to abuse kung hindi tama ang accounting nila,” he said in a DZMM interview.Acknowledging that LGUs have the autonomy to help their constituents, Remulla said Calumpit officials should ensure that data privacy concerns are followed if people&#x27;s data are being collected. “Dapat naka-back ng database para alam nila kung sino ang constituents nila kasi open to abuse ‘yan kung mali ang sistema. ‘Yung transferring by e-wallet is not disallowed by law pero yung method niya, kung mali ang database niya, dun siya mahihirapan,” he added.Describing the mechanism as a “slippery slope”, he said Calumput officials could face scrutiny before the Commission on Audit if beneficiaries were chosen correctly and received the correct amounts.“Kung wala silang sistema, I strongly advise against it. I highly discourage it but it’s not illegal,” he said.Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino earlier said 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.Calumpit was placed under a state of calamity on Tuesday due to the effects of persistent rains and flooding.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned Thursday the "e-ayuda" mechanism launched by the local government unit in Calumpit, Bulacan is open to abuse even if it does not violate any law.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned Thursday the "e-ayuda" mechanism launched by the local government unit in Calumpit, Bulacan is open to abuse even if it does not violate any law.