Totally agree that centralizing operations is inefficient. But there are budget technicalities that constrain the direct download of funds to LGUs, which really is more efficient. It’s a quandary! @johntmorales @rupertnotholmes @LaniCVillanueva https://twitter.com/iamkarendavila/status/1246613155758747648

Even in regular times, DSWD already has a hard time disbursing CCTs quickly. COA even said that over the years, billions were undisbursed and remained in the account of DSWD. This is not to suggest corruption. This is about the absorptive capacity of the dept

The massive financial subsidies under SAP will add to the work of DSWD! But then again, that’s how things go when there’s a crisis. Crisis response always add to the work of government agencies More funds means more work

With respect to the broader question of governance, I see it this way: It’s a choice between playing by stringent rules applicable in regular times or innovating in times of crisis to avert social unrest. And of course, between that, there is politics