RESIDENTS of Laguna will get lockdown cash assistance totaling P2.715 million, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday, adding that financial aid for low-income families in Bataan has yet to be finalized.
Laguna and Bataan were placed under enhanced community quarantine during the weekend, as the National Capital Region entered into strict lockdown restrictions due to increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections.
Roque said the P2.715 billion will cover the list of beneficiaries submitted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) based on the actual disbursements and number of beneficiaries last April 2021 when Laguna was also placed under ECQ. A P1,000 cash aid was given per individual with a maximum of P4,000 per family at the time.
“Meanwhile for Bataan, the total cash aid is being computed based on ongoing consultations with the DILG and the Bataan LGU,” Roque said in mixed English and Filipino.
He said the same amount of P,1000 per individual, or a maximum of P4,000 per family, will be given to those affected by the latest ECQ.
Apart from Bataan and Laguna, also under ECQ are Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro and Metro Manila. Iloilo City and Cagayan de Oro last month received their one-time cash subsidy.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the distribution of cash assistance in Metro Manila will start tomorrow, Wednesday.
Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista said Metro Manila mayors will release the cash assistance simultaneously.
Bautista said the LGUs have 15 days to finish the distribution of the cash aid and may tap digital financial service providers, such as GCash or Pay Maya, to expedite the delivery of the financial assistance to their constituents.
Malaya said the15-day period may be extended if the LGUs fail to complete the distribution due to unforeseen technical glitches.
Malaya admitted the distribution of financial assistance will be difficult because LGUs have to make sure there is no overcrowding when the cash aid is distributed.
“I must admit it’s more difficult to distribute the assistance now because we have a Delta variant so we cannot afford mass gathering,” said Malaya.
Malaya said the DILG has already tasked the PNP to provide assistance to LGUs when the payout starts.
Malaya said the distribution will be done mainly in distribution points but digital platforms will also be used. — With Victor Reyes
