The Manila city government is set to distribute more than P1 billion “ayuda” (financial aid) from the national government on Wednesday, August 11.
The city government received the cash aid worth P1,488,630,000 on Friday (August 6), which will be distributed to the beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program under the Bayanihan Act 1 and additional beneficiaries under the Bayanihan Act 2.
According to the national government, low-income individuals are expected to receive P1,000 per person and a maximum of P4,000 per family to help them sustain food and other basic needs during the lockdown.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said in his weekly capital report that the city government aims to distribute the cash aid on Wednesday (August 11) because banks are not open during the weekends.
"Hindi po totoo na bukas pwede na namin ibigay sa inyo August 7, Sabado, hindi po totoo (It is not true that we'll distribute the cash aid on August 7, it's not true)," Domagoso said.
"Una kararating lang kanina, gagawin pa 'yung mga papeles, napirmahan ko naman kaagad, walang problema. Sabado po bukas, Linggo po sa isang araw, wala pong bangko (First of all, it only arrived earlier, there would still be paper works that need to be done and I signed them immediately. It's Saturday tomorrow and Sunday on the following day, there's no bank)," he added.
According to Domagoso, the City Treasurer's Office was advised that they can only withdraw P200 million, which may cause slow distribution of cash aid.
The local chief executive also said that the cash aid is short of over P34 million because there's still 8,662 families that will not receive cash aid.
However, Domagoso said that the city government is now looking for funds to provide cash aid for the 8,662 families.
"Bigyan niyo lang ako ng 72 hours maghahanap ako ng pera. Magpipiga tayo ng bimpo kasi ayokong may maiwan naman, kawawa naman 'yung maiiwan, maraming pamilya 'yan (Give me 72 hours to look for money because I don't' want anyone to be left behind)," he said.
The national government released cash aid for families in cities and provinces affected by the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).