CAVITE - Governor Jonvic Remulla has proposed dividing the financial assistance to be turned over by the National Government on Monday (April 5) for poor families affected by the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the Greater Manila area.

According to the Department of Budget and Management's Local Budget Circular No. 136 dated March 30, Cavite residents will be given P3.4 billion in financial assistance during ECQ.

Remulla proposed dividing the amount equally among Cavite's 1.3 million households, giving each family around P2,500. He also called for full accounting and transparency in the disbursement of funds.

"By doing so: 1. Maiiwasan ang mali kung gagawin nating patas ang sistema; 2. Walang inggitan at reklamo sa mga hindi maaabutan; 3. Ang middle class na laging nakakalimutan ay tiyak protektado at garantisado, (By doing so: 1. Wrongdoings can be avoided if the system is fair; 2. There will be no envy and complaints; 3. The middle class, who are usually neglected, will be protected)," Remulla wrote in a Facebook post.

On March 31, Remulla said the distribution of financial assistance will be the responsibility of city and municipal local government units.

Meanwhile, the governor apologized for his post on April 3 asking his constituents to stay at home to avoid congestion at checkpoints. The post earned negative comments from netizens who said people have no choice but to go out to earn a living amid the pandemic.

"I promise to be even more sensitive and mindful with regards to how everyone is coping. I should have realized that many are having a hard time," Remulla wrote. "Hindi po ako nagtatago sa excuses (I am not hiding behind excuses). I am not exempted. I am man enough to own up to my mistakes."

He said navigating the crisis has been very stressful with more and more hospital workers, laboratory front liners, and even Provincial Capitol staff testing positive for the coronavirus disease.