Malacañang said while the amount is not enough, the maximum of P4,000 worth of financial assistance for each family in the Greater Manila Area was estimated to cover two weeks of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the P23 billion worth of cash aid was downloaded on Monday to the different local government units (LGUs) affected by the ECQ.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Roque said the government estimated that the said amount would cover two weeks of ECQ since the first week of the strict lockdown coincided with Holy Week.

" Government, when it was decided to distribute P4,000 per family, considered already that the ECQ would be for two weeks and the reason is, of course, during Holy Week, they (workers) only lost two days of working days," he told "The Source” Monday, April 4.

"We believe that, although it's never enough, this will tide over our countrymen for this additional ECQ and that is also considering whether or not there will be a third week of ECQ," he added.

Roque said Congress would be called to a special session if additional funds will be necessary since, according to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, the government has no more source for further cash assistance.

"If there is a further need for ayuda, then Congress will have to be called into a special session because it is in recess and we will need to get a supplemental budget for that purpose," he said.

"For the time being, the 23 billion released already will be the totality of ayuda that the people will get," he added.

Meanwhile, Roque said Malacañang is expecting that affected residents will receive the said assistance this week.

"The idea is to give the cash this week because we understand this is already the second week of ECQ," he said.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were placed under ECQ to address the spike in cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It was originally set to only last for one week but it was extended until April 11.