Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19) — There’s no decision yet if the national government will provide cash aid to families affected by the enhanced community quarantine, Malacañang said Monday.
In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he already asked the Department of Budget and Management about the financial aid to families residing in areas under hard lockdown.
“Magkakaroon po ako ng kasagutan diyan sa Wednesday, sa susunod na press briefing,” he said.
[Translation: We will have answer to that on Wednesday, at the next press briefing.]
On Friday, the government placed Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, and Iloilo province under ECQ until end-July.
When the country experienced another surge of new infections in March, the national government imposed the strictest quarantine status in several areas. This forced more sectors to temporarily cease operations, subsequently prompting the government to provide a fresh wave of financial aid to Filipinos.
Over the weekend, Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to provide financial aid amounting to ₱6,000 for each family in the city.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in a statement Saturday, also said about 500,000 Ilonggos would not be allowed to work due to ECQ.
“500,000 Ilonggos or a portion thereof will go hungry for the next two weeks. The city will try to do its best to give our food assistance in the meantime,” Treñas added.
