Palace ensures aid to residents in ECQ zones

MANILA – The government will provide assistance to all Filipino households affected by the implementation of the most restrictive enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until end of July, Malacañang said on Friday.

“The national government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall provide augmentation support to local government units (LGUs) adversely affected by the latest imposition of enhanced community quarantine,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the imposition of ECQ status in Iloilo province and its highly-urbanized Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, and the City of Gingoog in Misamis Oriental until July 31.

Roque said the DSWD in Western Visayas is now coordinating with the affected LGUs to determine the number of families affected by the ECQ implementation.

The DSWD’s regional office, Roque said, is also identifying those who are eligible to receive aid from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

He said the DSWD is likewise coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the provision of air and logistical assets to ensure the immediate distribution of family food packs to LGUs whose localities are placed under ECQ.

“This augmentation support is on top of the stockpiles and food packs, which concerned LGUs can provide,” he said.

Roque also encouraged residents in ECQ areas to continue observing strict health protocols to protect them against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

He likewise renewed his call on everyone to get vaccinated against Covid-19, once supply and schedule date become available to enable the country to beat the coronavirus.

“We call on everyone to cooperate and strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards, such as wearing of face masks or shields, handwashing, and social distancing,” Roque said.