August 2021 Cash Aid/ “Ayuda” due to ECQ: Ready for Distribution on August 11

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already released the 10.89 billion of cash-aids or Ayuda in the National Capital Region (NCR)/Manila as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) placed hard lockdown in NCR starting August 6, 2021.

Likewise, the cash aid distribution will start on August 11, 2021, according to Metro Manila Council Chairman, Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

“Napag-usapan namin na lahat ng syudad sa Metro Manila, sa Miyerkules magsisimula lahat. Simultaneously lahat. Magsisimula ang pagbibigay ng financial assistance sa lahat ng mga residente na affected ng ECQ”

“Lahat po ‘yan. Simultaneously ‘yung labing-anim na siyudad at isang munisipyo. Miyerkules ng umaga mag-uumpisa lahat”

The said “Ayuda” distribution will be held via face to face or through electronic wallets.

Each household affected by ECQ will receive a maximum of Php 4,000 cash aid.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Friday that a total of P10.89 billion has been credited to the bank accounts of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila for distribution to 10.9 million affected individuals.

To quote from DBM,

Pursuant to Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 130-A dated 29 July 2021, the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) form August 6 to 20, 2021.

As approved by the Office of the President per Memorandum dated August 3, 2021, financial assistance shall be released to cities and municipalities in NCR, chargeable against the savings generated pursuant to Administrative Order No. 41.

Placing NCR under ECQ

In order to prevent the spread of the extremely infectious Delta Covid-19 strain, NCR was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from August 6-20, 2021.

According to existing guidelines, if an ECQ is implemented in a certain location, the government would offer financial assistance to low-income people while the economy is partially shut down. During the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), more than 10 million residents in Metro Manila/ NCR are anticipated to receive Php 1,000, with a maximum of Php 4,000 per household.

The Province of Laguna, in addition to NCR, will be also placed under ECQ starting from August 6 to 15. Budget Undersecretary Tina Marie Canda said in a text message on Friday that money for assistance in Laguna had not yet been issued.

ECQ Cash Aid Distribution

In connection with the cash aid or ayuda distribution, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are ready to assist while ensuring that minimal health and safety procedures are followed.

To quote from PNP Eleazar;

“Handa ang PNP na tumulong sa pagbibigay ng ayuda sa panahon ng ECQ. Bahagi ito ng guidance ng ating SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) Eduardo Año noon pa sa ating kapulisan na alalayan ang pagbibigay ng cash assistance sa panahon ng hard lockdown.”

“Our main objective is to avoid cash aid distribution activities turning into super spreader events and we can do that by ensuring that a system is in place and there is an orderly process.”

The PNP also advised the public to observe minimum health and safety procedures during the distribution activities.

Your Reactions

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