Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has extended the deadline for the distribution of cash assistance in Metro Manila until August 31 following the request of local government units.
In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the decision was made after Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana backed the appeals of local chief executives.
“The mayors also need more time to process appeals and grievances, so it is justified for us to give an extension,” Año added.
Initially, LGUs were given until August 25 to complete the payout after it started on August 11. But local officials said their cash aid distribution has been hampered by limited mobility and manpower amid rising COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region.
The DILG noted that 80.96% or ₱9.1 billion out of the ₱11.2-billion financial assistance has been given out to beneficiaries so far. This means more than 9 million beneficiaries, or 8 out of every 10 individuals, have received cash assistance.
Only Caloocan City was able to finish distribution before the deadline while eight other LGUs have at least 80% distribution rate, the department said.
Prior to being under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Metro Manila was under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20 due to increasing infections that were possibly driven by the feared Delta variant.
The ECQ required the government to allocate financial aid to help affected residents.
