The government is eyeing the distribution of one-time financial aid to around 22.9 million beneficiaries in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
According to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, the potential beneficiaries account for 80 percent of the low-income households in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces placed under ECQ this week.
Around P23 billion in unutilized government funds could be tapped to bankroll the assistance program during the ECQ period, according to Avisado.
"We are guided by the data given to us by both the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority)," he's said during a televised press briefing Monday, March 29.
"Based on the latest population statistics from NEDA, there are an estimated 22.9 million beneficiaries which correspond to the 80% low-income population in NCR, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna and these are the areas placed under ECQ so iyon ‘yung pinagbabasehan natin (so that will be our basis)," he added when asked about the beneficiaries of the aid.
Avisado declined to provide details of the proposed assistance program, including the amount of subsidy, for people affected by the ECQ,s saying the matter is pending before the Office of the President. He said either President Duterte and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will make the announcement about the latest round fo financial aid in ECQ areas.
Once approved by the President, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the distribution of the assistance could be distributed by mid-April. He said the assistance would not be as big as the past cash subsidy, which ranged from P5,000 to P8,000, given to low-income families during last year’s lockdown.
The government earlier announced it would distribute emergency subsidy to people severely affected by the strict lockdown, particularly those who would lose income.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Cavite have been placed under ECQ from March 29 to April 4 in a bid to stem the rising cases of coronavirus. The restrictions ranged from strict home quarantine, ban on mass gatherings, and limited operations of businesses except for hospitals, logistic services, priority construction projects, supermarkets, drug stores, and those involved in essential and frontline services.