The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will strengthen crowd control measures during government cash assistance distributions following reports of congestion and tension at several payout sites.
PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is coordinating with partner agencies to ensure the orderly release of aid, particularly under the government’s fuel subsidy program amid a declared national energy emergency.
He said the move supports the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to speed up and organize the distribution of assistance while maintaining peace and order.
“We are coordinating with all the agencies involved in this program on matters pertaining to security and crowd management as one of our preemptive measures against any untoward incident,” Nartatez said.
The statement follows reports of overcrowding at some payout sites, including an incident in Quezon City over the weekend where tensions briefly escalated among beneficiaries. Authorities said the situation was contained but highlighted the need for tighter coordination.
Police noted that earlier payout operations were affected by gaps in queuing systems and limited on-site supervision, resulting in delays and confusion among recipients.
To prevent similar incidents, the PNP urged local government units and concerned agencies to improve planning, streamline distribution processes, and strengthen on-site management.
“Our priority is the safety and security of our kababayan, and we want to prevent any tension among our beneficiaries and those distributing the ayuda,” Nartatez said.
Authorities also said efforts are underway to validate lists of qualified beneficiaries to reduce delays and ease congestion. Police personnel have been directed to assist on the ground to maintain order and address potential disputes.
“We will also deploy more emergency and medical response teams to ensure the well-being of our kababayan while they wait for their turn in the distribution process,” Nartatez added.
The PNP said additional personnel and resources are on standby as part of its support to local governments in ensuring that aid distribution is carried out safely and efficiently nationwide.