By Charissa Luci-Atienza La Union 2nd district Rep. Sandra Eriguel has rallied behind the proposed reconfiguration of existing cash transfer programs to benefit poor residents in Luzon affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). House of the Representatives (Facebook) The chairperson of the House committee on social services threw her all-out support behind the proposed 13th-month Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) grant and the full-year advance of the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) of 6.2 million UCT beneficiaries. "I agree with Cong. Joey Salceda to give our indigent families a 13th month 4Ps grant and full year advance of UCT to help them with their needs during the lockdown period. In this manner, we can assure the public, particularly the daily wage earners, that they will have enough resources to provide for their families," she told the Manila Bulletin in a text message. She said such a measure should be given due consideration by the leadership of Congress, considering that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has immensely affected the nation. "The actions taken by our President is the only way we can flatten the curve of infection rate by containing the spread of the virus. However, the Luzon lockdown also meant the temporary closure and stoppage of operations of several companies and institutions leaving our daily wage earners without work and without pay," Eriguel said. The House leader said she is counting on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to immediately provide the cash grants to poor families. "As chairperson of the House committee on social services, I implore the DSWD to hasten the process of disbursement of the said monetary grants to our indigent families. They should not suffer more but be protected for being vulnerable too during this time," she said. She appealed to the public, particularly her constituents, to stay home during the lockdown to protect them from COVID-19 and help stop the spread of the virus. Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, earlier proposed a cash transfer program for Luzon residents affected by the ECQ. He said the 2.54 million 4Ps-family beneficiaries in Luzon should be given a 13th-month 4Ps grant, which needs P6 billion funding. Salceda also called for the full-year advance of UCT of P3,600 per family of 6.2 million UCT beneficiaries, mostly informal families.