Malacañang assured the residents of areas placed under the 15-day modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will receive cash aid as it will be included in the Bayanihan To Recover As One bill (Bayanihan 2). Thus assurance was given even though residents many areas have yet to receive the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP).
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal go back to MECQ from the GCQ for from August 4 to August 18 following the request for a "timeout" of medical practitioners.
In his Monday presser, Roque said funds for the cash aid for the residents of the said areas will be included in the Bayanihan 2 because the distribution of financial assistance to needy families cannot be done without budget authority.
"Congress will have to appropriate funds para po dito sa third ayuda na ibibigay natin dito (for the third wave of the cash aid that we will distribute)," he said.
While waiting for the enactment of Bayanihan 2, Roque said the Palace is expecting local government units (LGUs) to help their constituents during the MECQ period.
He said Metro Manila mayors are aware that the national government has limited resources.
"Sigurado naman po ako ang ating mga lokal na pamahalaan ay handa rin pong tumulong sa ngayon (I'm sure that the LGUs are ready to help for now)," he said.
"Inaasahan din natin na magbibigay din ng kahit papaanong ayuda ang mga local government units (We expect that LGUs will give even a little amount as cash aid to the people)," he added.
The Palace official likewise said that they would check if the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can extend any form of aid to those affected by the stricter quarantine.
"Handa naman po ang lahat na talagang (Everyone is ready) to look for the funds that we can still find dahil alam naman po natin na habang naka-MECQ tayo ay karamihan po ng mga kababayan natin ay hindi makakapag-trabaho (because we know that a lot of people will have no jobs during MECQ)," Roque said.