Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) – The distribution of cash assistance to people in Metro Manila as a result of the hard lockdown will begin on Wednesday, August 11, the Department of Interior and Local Government said on Monday.
The cash aid totals ₱10.89 billion and will be disbursed through the local government units, which have the leeway to give ahead of schedule. They would also be given enough time to disburse to beneficiaries.
“Doon po sa meeting ng mga NCR mayors, napagkasunduan po nila na magsimula sa Miyerkules. Sa Miyerkules po imo-monitor po ‘yan ng DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] and DILG ang actual na distribution ng ayuda sa National Capital Region,” Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a media briefing Monday.
[Translation: During the meeting of NCR mayors, it was agreed upon that the distribution will start on Wednesday. On Wednesday, the DSWD and the DILG will monitor the actual distribution of cash aid in the National Capital Region.]
Malaya said local governments can begin distributing cash ahead of the said date.
The Department of Budget and Management released to local government units ₱10.89 billion worth of financial assistance to nearly 11 million low-income people. Each will receive ₱1,000 or a maximum of ₱4,000 per household.
Local governments have 15 days to release the cash, Malaya said, and they will be given an extended time if needed.
“Dahil po dito sa Delta variant na ito, mahigpit pong ipapatupad ang social distancing at wala pong mass gathering sa pamimigay ng ayuda,” he said.
[Translation: Because of the threat of Delta variant, we will strictly implement social distancing and avoid mass gathering in distributing the cash aid.]
“Pumayag naman po si [DILG] Secretary Eduardo Año at [DSWD] Secretary Rolly Bautista ng extension upon the request of the local government unit, kung ang dahilan ay dahil sa challenges in distributing during the time of pandemya,” Malaya added.
[Translation: Secretary Eduardo Año and Secretary Rolly Bautista both agreed to allow the request of the local government unit for extension, only if the reason is due to the challenges brought by the pandemic in distributing.]
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Benhur Abalos told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon house-to-house distribution of cash aid in the capital is unlikely.
Metro Manila is under enhanced community quarantine on August 6 to 20 due to the Delta variant threat.
The National Economic and Development Authority estimates that the economy could lose around ₱150 billion per week under a hard lockdown for the capital region, the main economic hub.
Bataan and Laguna
Meanwhile, Malacanang said low-income families in Bataan and Laguna will also receive cash aid to cope with the ECQ.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Budget department proposed ₱2.715 billion for Laguna, while the DILG and the local government are still determining the cash aid for Bataan.
“Sapat naman po ang ating savings and dividends para bayaran po itong ayuda sa Laguna at Bataan,” said Roque.
[Translation: Our savings and dividends are enough to provide for the cash aid in Laguna and Bataan.]
Laguna is under ECQ on August 6 to 15, and Bataan as well on Aug. 8 to 22.
“Wag i-expect na i-bahay bahay dahil tatagal po ito,” he said.
[Translation: Don’t expect that this will be done house-to-house because that will take time.]
He said Makati, Muntinlupa, Caloocan will tap digital services providers to roll out the cash assistance. Other cities, meanwhile, will implement the manual distribution of the subsidy.
Abalos said Filipinos should await the schedule of the distribution from their local government units, and be wary of misinformation posted on social media platforms.
