Quezon City gives cash aid to 28,000 displaced workers

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has started the distribution of P2,000 aid to some 28,000 workers who were displaced during the implementation of the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last month.

“Ayuda will be given to workers residing in the city who were not given salaries during the two week-ECQ and self-employed individuals whose jobs were not permitted during the said quarantine period,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“We will also provide assistance to those who are not beneficiaries of the ECQ financial assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” she added.

The financial assistance is provided under the city’s Kalingang QC sa Manggagawa program, which aims to support residents who have lost their jobs and sources of livelihood during the lockdown period.

Ricardo Corpuz, head of the city’s barangay and community relations department, said they have verified and approved over 28,000 applications for the program.

Applicants were required to submit certification indicating that they did not receive their salary or their business was not allowed to operate for the duration of the recent ECQ.

These were then validated by the city’s social services development department, together with other local government agencies.

Payout distribution started last Friday and is expected to be completed this week.