The distribution of P11.226 billion in cash aid (ayuda) for the qualified low-income families affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) last month has finally been completed, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported Friday, September 17.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said more than 11.2 million eligible recipients have already received their ‘ayuda’ which ranged from P1,000 per low-income individual to a maximum of P4,000 per low-income family.
The cash aid were given after the government imposed ECQ in NCR from August 6 to 20 to arrest the surge in COVID-19 cases.
All 17 LGUs in NCR were able to complete the distribution of cash aid to qualified residents from Aug. 11 to Sept. 11 which amounted to P11,226,946,000.
The LGUs of Manila, Caloocan City, Pasig City, Malabon City, Navotas City, and Quezon City have completed their distribution before the scheduled deadline.
The DILG chief said that stringent liquidation and accounting of every centavo of the distributed cash aid will follow suit as the memorandum has been released to the DILG field officers “to ensure that the LGUs fully and timely liquidate the national government subsidy.”
Año added that a “fund utilization report’’ must also be submitted by the Metro Manila LGUs to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Commission on Audit (COA) in compliance with Local Budget Circular (LBC) No. 138.
He reminded the LGUs to return the unexpended balance, if there are any, like what the Makati City government intends to do with the expected return of P29,402,000.
Earlier, the DILG reminded the LGUs with unclaimed funds that they may process pending claims lodged before their LGU Grievance and Appeals Committee until September 10, 2021 which shall be the final day before the funds should be reverted to the National Treasury.