PRESIDENT Duterte has approved the release of an additional P3.783 billion for the cash subsidy, or “ayuda,” for residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in different places in the country, including Metro Manila.
Department of Budget Management Undersecretary and spokesman Rolando Toledo, during the Laging Handa public briefing, said the President’s approval was received by the department yesterday morning and necessary documentations will be issued to facilitate the release of the funds by the Bureau of Treasury and downloading of funds to concerned local government units (LGUs) by Friday.
Toledo said the amount will cover the subsidy for Laguna (P2.715 billion), Bataan (P700 million) and part of Metro Manila (P285 million).
The DBM initially released P10.894 billion for the subsidy of those affected by the ECQ in Metro Manila but Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the amount is about P285 million short to cover the same number of people in Metro Manila who received the subsidy during the ECQ in April.
Affected residents will receive P1,000 each or up to P4,000 per family.
Metro Manila started the distribution of the one-time cash aid on August 11.
The ECQ in Metro Manila is until August 20 and until August 15 in Bataaan and Laguna. The ECQ was imposed due to the continuing increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, including the more contagious Delta variant.
Toledo said Tuguegarao, which imposed a 10-day ECQ from August 12 to 22, is not covered by the newly-approved cash subsidy.
Tuguegarao imposed its own ECQ that was not approved by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said LGUs may declare their own localized lockdown if the need arises but it does not automatically mean that subsidy from the national government will be provided.
Roque said LGUs usually provide assistance for their constituents if they implement a localized lockdown.
He said the IATF, however, will review Tuguegarao’s situation and call for aid.
Roque also said Duterte also approved the release of a P910 million budget for a P1,000 incentive for public school teachers.
The cash aid, under the World Teachers’ Day incentive benefit (WTDIB), will benefit 910,000 public school teachers nationwide.
The Department of Education earlier said the grant of WTDIB “recognizes the vital role of our educators in addressing the challenges of the pandemic, especially in ensuring the continuity of learning.”
It also aims to show gratitude to the public school teachers for their continued service in educating the Filipino youth.
