Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday vowed to strengthen crowd management during "ayuda" (cash aid) payouts to prevent tension and ensure the orderly distribution of government assistance. "We are coordinating with all agencies involved in this program on matters pertaining to security and crowd management as a preemptive measure against any untoward incident," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez issued the statement after reports of tension during a fuel subsidy payout in Quezon City over the weekend. Authorities said the situation was addressed but stressed the need to prevent similar incidents. Police said earlier incidents exposed gaps in queuing systems and on-site supervision, leading to delays and misunderstandings among beneficiaries.

The PNP called on local government units (LGUs) and concerned agencies to improve preparations and streamline distribution processes to avoid tensions at payout sites. "Our priority is the safety and security of our kababayan (fellow citizens). We want to prevent tension among beneficiaries and those distributing the ayuda," Nartatez said.

Nartatez has directed police personnel to assist on the ground to ensure smoother distribution and prevent disputes. "We will also deploy additional emergency and medical response teams to ensure the well-being of our kababayan while waiting for their turn," he said. Additional police assets have been placed on standby to support LGUs and ensure safe, orderly, and efficient distribution of government assistance nationwide.