Manila grants P591 million to 568,000 families

MANILA, Philippines — Starting today, the Manila city government will be giving P1,000 in cash assistance each to 568,000 families as the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine entered its fourth week.

Mayor Isko Moreno announced the grant yesterday after signing Ordinance 8625, which authorized the allocation of a supplemental budget amounting to P591 million to provide cash aid to residents affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

“The amount of P1,000 per family will be distributed in 896 barangays to cushion the impact of COVID-19,” Moreno said.

“There will be no queuing because the distribution will be house-to-house. The people assigned to distribute the money will issue acknowledgment receipts,” he added.

Moreno reminded the residents not to go to barangay halls, citing the importance of physical distancing to contain the spread of the virus.

He said the budget will be sourced from the mayor’s office, local department of social welfare and the city’s development fund.

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) has apprehended around 300 drug suspects since the government implemented the enhanced community quarantine.

MPD public information chief Lt. Col. Carlo Magno Manuel said operatives from 11 police stations, including the district drug enforcement unit, conducted more than 200 anti-narcotics operations from March 14 to April 5.

Manuel said at least P9 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated by police.

The MPD reported fewer crimes during the period.

The homicide section recorded only two cases. The theft and robbery section listed one.

Manuel attributed the drop in crime rate to the enhanced community quarantine and police checkpoints set up around the metropolis.