DILG assures 'ayuda' to granular lockdown-affected residents in NCR
By Chito Chavez
Qualified recipients in granular lockdown-hit areas in Metro Manila will be given assistance (ayuda) from the national government and local government units (LGUs) after alert level 3 was raised in the National Capital Region (NCR) due to the rapid increase in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday, Jan. 3.
In a news briefing Monday, Jan 3, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya bared that the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) and the concerned LGUs are prepared to impose the granular lockdowns in COVID-19 high risk areas as the desired details on the matter are now being readied.
“Nagkaroon lang po kasi ng delay sa reporting sa amin dahil holiday po nung mga nakaraang araw (There was only a delay in the reports submitted to us due to the holiday break in the past days),’’ Malaya said.
Malaya vowed to disseminate the information to the media saying that the national government will definitely provide the necessary assistance to the qualified beneficiaries affected by the granular lockdown through the DSWD.
As to the movement of people under alert level 3, Malaya stated that there remains no changes in the intra-zonal and inter-zonal travel policies in NCR based on the earlier announcement of the Metro Manila Council (MMC).
Under the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines on the alert level system, Malaya explained that intra-zonal and inter-zonal travels are allowed under alert level 3subject to the ‘reasonable LGU restrictions.’’
“At para naman po sa mga below 18 (years old), ok naman po silang gumalaw, kailangan lang po sila ay kasama po nila ang kanilang magulang o kaya naman guardian (For those below 18, it is okay for them to move around provided that they are accompanied by their parents or guardian),’’ Malaya said.
Malaya added that DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has issued a directive ordering the PNP to assist the LGUs in enforcing the alert level 3 regulations since only 30 percent of indoor venue capacity are allowed only for fully vaccinated individuals.
“At 50 percent naman po (are allowed) yung ating outdoor capacity (And 50 percent for outdoor venue) and all workers must be fully vaccinated,’’ he added.