Don't expect 2020 Social Amelioration Program (SAP)-level "ayuda" or financial assistance this time.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos confirmed that talks are ongoing in the Cabinet on the proposed distribution of cash aid to residents within "NCR-plus", which will be placed under a week-long enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting Monday, March 29.
But Abalos was quick to tell the residents to manage their expectations.
"Siguro kung may ayuda man, hindi kasinglaki kamukha nung araw dahil one week lang po tayo (If ever there would be cash aid, it would be a big as before since this will only last one week)," he said.
Abalos was obviously referring to last year's SAP, which was distributed to beneficiaries by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Under SAP, two tranches of emergency cash aid worth P5,000 to P8,000, depending on area, were given to some 18 million low-income families nationwide. The dole out was designed to ensure the survival of indigent Filipinos who were unable to go to work due to the initial imposition of the ECQ.
NCR-plus refers to the National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.
Regarding the financial assistance, Abalos said, "Sinasabi naman siguro ni Secretary Harry Roque na ito'y nilalapit pa nila kay Secretary Wendel (Presidential spokesperson, Secretary Harry Roque may have mentioned this, but they have raised the matter to Department of Budget and Management Secretary Wendel Avisado)."
"Aayusin po muna kung gaano kalaki po ito. Kung one week ko-kompyutin po muna yan (The amount will be determined. If it's for one week then they will compute it based on that)," he explained.
Abalos said that this time, the local government units (LGUs) may be tapped for distribution instead of the DSWD for the sake of speed.
"Handa naman po ang mga LGU dito kung ano ang ibigay na katungkulan po ng DBM o ng ating Presidente. Pero pag-uusapan pa rin po ito (The LGUs will be ready with whatever responsibility the DBM or the President would give them. But this will still be discussed)," he said.
Abalos works closely with the mayors of Metro Manila or NCR in his capacity as MMDA chairman.