The Muntinlupa City government started Thursday the release of the national government’s P442.19 million financial assistance to residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region and four provinces.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed an executive order for the distribution of the financial assistance amounting to P1,000 per individual with a maximum amount of P4,000 per family to targeted beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries include recipients of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), low-income individuals and those working in informal economies affected by the community quarantine.
The mayor said qualified residents will receive the assistance in cash to help them recover from economic disruption brought about by the imposition of ECQ in Metro Manila.
The city government targets to give the emergency subsidy to at least 80 percent of Muntinlupa’s population.
The initial payout started at Tiosejo covered court in Brgy. Tunasan and Sucat Elementary School in Brgy. Sucat on Thursday.
The city government said it will give the assistance in cash as it has already been providing food packs to residents since the beginning of the pandemic.
Fresnedi called for a coordination meeting with barangay officials on Tuesday for the rollout of the financial assistance in communities.
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the city government will be tapping barangay information officers for the posting of approved lists of beneficiaries as mandated by the national government.
A joint memorandum circular coming from national government agencies such as the Department of Budget and Management mandates all local government units (LGUs) to post on their official websites, social media accounts and at conspicuous places the list of approved beneficiaries but limited only to the names of beneficiaries including their barangay and district.
In addition, LGUs are required to conduct the distribution of the emergency subsidy within 15 calendar days from release of the Notice of Cash Allocation if the assistance is done in cash and within 30 days if assistance is given in-kind.
Last month, the Muntinlupa Social Service Department provided 9,989 food packages to tricycle and jeepney operators and drivers, daily wage earners who were affected by the lockdown, families of city scholars, and other members of disadvantaged groups. Each food box contained grocery items worth P785.
Muntinlupa LGU has distributed 695,184 food boxes to city residents from March 2020 up to present.