Gov’t to provide cash aid to individuals in ECQ zones

MANILA – Individuals residing in areas placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will receive cash assistance from the national government, Malacañang said on Thursday.

This developed after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the proposal to grant financial aid to those affected by the implementation of ECQ, the most restrictive quarantine classification, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

In a virtual presser, Roque said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide assistance worth PHP1,000 per individual or PHP4,000 per family.

“Nandiyan na po ‘yung assistance na sinabi ni Pangulo na kinakailangang ibigay kapag tayo ay nag-ECQ. Ito po ay PHP1,000 kada tao or maximum na PHP4,000 kada pamilya (We will be giving the assistance that the President said should be granted to individuals living in areas under ECQ. The assistance is amounting to PHP1,000 per individual or a maximum of PHP4,000 per family),” Roque said.

Roque said the cash aid will be sourced through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Roque did not mention when the assistance will be distributed.

He, nevertheless, assured the immediate release of funds to ensure the speedy distribution of the cash aid.

“Ang pondo po ay dina-download na po sa mga lokal na pamahalaan ng Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, at Gingoog City (The funds have already been downloaded to the local governments of Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, at Gingoog City),” he said.

The province of Iloilo and its highly urbanized city, as well as Cagayan de Oro and the City of Gingoog in Misamis Oriental, have been placed under ECQ since July 21.

The four areas will remain under ECQ until August 7 due to the apparent spike in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

Roque said the quarantine classifications imposed throughout the country for the month of August are still subject to local government units’ (LGUs) appeal.

The DSWD in Western Visayas has coordinated with the affected LGUs to identify individuals who are eligible to receive financial assistance.

It has also coordinated 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.