Duterte OKs over ₱3-B ECQ cash aid for NCR, Laguna, Bataan

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the release of funds worth PHP3.78 billion for low-income households in areas under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), an official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday.

In a message to reporters, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said this includes PHP2.72 billion for Laguna and PHP700 million for Bataan.

RELATED: P10.9B released for cash aid in Metro Manila

These two provinces were placed under the strictest quarantine status on Aug. 6 and 8, respectively.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region will also receive a PHP368 million supplemental budget for the grant of the financial assistance.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año earlier sought a supplemental budget of PHP278 million to ensure that all qualified recipients in the NCR will receive the national government’s financial assistance.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earlier released an initial PHP10.8 billion for the grant of cash aid to qualified recipients in Metro Manila, which is under ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20.

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Local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila started the cash aid distribution on Wednesday. Under the guidelines on aid distribution set by the DILG, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of National Defense, they have 15 days to complete the aid distribution process and must ensure that health and safety protocols are being observed.

Each qualified resident in ECQ areas will receive cash assistance of PHP1,000 each or up to a maximum of PHP4,000 per family.

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