DILG says 67% of ECQ cash aid distributed

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have distributed about 67 percent of its allocated lockdown cash assistance and will likely finish the payout before the May 15 deadline, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that Metro Manila LGUs have paid out over P7.4 billion in financial assistance to their constituents.

Some 11.172 million individuals are set to get “ayuda” or financial assistance as part of the social amelioration measures of the national government to individuals affected by the community quarantine in the National Capital Region.

A total of P22.9 billion has been allotted for the lockdown assistance in the NCR Plus bubble, which includes the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan.

Malaya said in an interview on radio dzBB some LGUs in NCR could probably even finish their distribution by the end of April.

He said the May 15 deadline would ensure that LGUs have enough time to settle appeals regarding the payout, which also include redundancies in the beneficiary list.

He noted that some of the initial glitches encountered by LGUs in the payout that led to long queues and violation of social distancing protocols have already been resolved and the distribution is going more smoothly.

The DILG official added that even in the provinces long queues have been avoided and distribution is systematic.

Malaya said local chief executives currently have a lot on their plate with the pandemic and they should do well, especially with the coming 2022 elections.

Meanwhile, the local government of Pasig has distributed P158 million in ayuda to low-income residents in the city.

The amount comprises about 23.17 percent of the P681.74 million which the national government has set aside for the 681,473 individuals in Pasig.

Local government employees have been conducting a house-to-house distribution of the cash assistance in areas where there are clusters of poor families. This is to prevent mass gatherings which are among the common causes of COVID-19 infections.

Other beneficiaries receive their aid through electronic transfer.

Mayor Vico Sotto earlier appealed for understanding from their constituents as not everyone will receive financial assistance as the funds from the national government are limited.   – Emmanuel Tupas