The distribution of COVID-19 aid to NCR Plus (Metro Manila and 4 neighboring provinces) under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will begin in the coming days.
In Navotas, the P199,480,000 million total cash assistance they received from the national government is set to roll out on Wednesday.
“Bukas po target namin. Subukan namin mag start tomorrow, cash po,” said Mayor Toby Tiangco on TeleRadyo Tuesday morning.
Tiangco explained that assistance to the affected residents should be provided immediately so they decided to provide the cash assistance.
“Kung bibili pa kami, magrerepack pa kami. Ang tagal pa ng proseso. Hindi naman madaling mag distribute pag ECQ kasi hindi pwedeng magdikit-dikit ang tao,” he said.
Tiangco added that every family does not only need food.
“Iba-iba pangangailangan nila. Yung iba baka kailangan ng gamot, pang load sa internet para sa mga bata makapag-aral kaya cash na lang ibibigay namin,” he said.
Apart from cash assistance from the national government, food packs have also been provided by the Department of Welfare and Social Development (DSWD) but not for the entire population of Navotas.
“Tapos yung city hall employees namin namimigay na sila ng ayuda ngayon galing naman sa local government unit, so nagrerepack,” he said.
In Caloocan, aid from the national government also arrived on Monday and they are arranging it to be distributed on Wednesday.
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Distribution of ECQ assistance in NCR Plus to begin
On TeleRadyo, Mayor Oscar Malapitan said that he also has his own aid coming from the local government.
“Wala kaming pipiliin dito, mayaman o mahirap. Nung isang linggo pa kami nagsimula pero marami pang area hindi pa namin nakokober,” he said.
The aid consisted of five kilos of rice and canned goods, the mayor said.
In Marikina, cash assistance arrived Monday night and they will distribute it to the affected residents on Wednesday or Thursday.
However, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro regrets that the allocation of aid given to them is insufficient.
“Medyo malungkot ako. Kagabi, tiningnan ko allocation ko, talagang kulang sa bilang ng nakatanggap ng SAP noon nakaraan. Nakita ko yung listahang ibinigay sa akin ng DSWD, mga beneficiary ng SAP ng nakaraang taon, medyo kakapusin. Ang gagawin ko na lang gagwan namin ng paraan sa lokal,” he said.