The government’s distribution of aid to those affected by the new enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces (NCR Plus) is expected to begin this week.
Seven days after the ECQ was launched, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it is possible that the distribution of aid will begin on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also announced on Monday that the LGU will now be able to get the funds for the aid.
He said the cash will be given to the LGU and it will be up to them to decide whether they will distribute money or in-kind to the residents.
The DSWD has a reminder to the LGUs.
“Kapag ibibigay po ito in cash it should be done within 15 days after the receipt of the notice of the cash allocation, at within 30 days naman po kung ang tulong ay ibibigay in kind,” said DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao.
The aid can be distributed if the LGU has already passed an executive order and the list of beneficiaries has been finalized.
Government admits ECQ aid not enough
DILG officer in charge Bernardo Florece clarified that each individual will receive one-time P1,000 worth of assistance, or up to P4,000 per household.
“Kulang din talaga kaya lang ito’y additional lang naman na tulong ng gobyerno. Pagpasensiyahan na po natin at ‘yun lang ang available na pondo,”said Florece.
For the people of Manila, they chose to give cash to those who were listed in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) then and beneficiaries who were previously placed on the waiting list.
“Cash po para may elbow room ‘yung mga kababayan natin. Meron silang choices kung ano ang importante para sila ay makapamili kung anong uunahing pangangailangan,” said Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Bayan Muna, on the other hand, criticized the delay in the arrival of aid.
According to House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate, the P1,000 to P4,000 assistance per household is not enough for the 2 -week ECQ, especially since it is not yet certain whether it will be extended.