BACOLOD City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya has asked Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista for additional cash assistance for Bacolod City as it has been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Gasataya on Friday, September 18, 2020, said he already informed Bautista during the budget briefing of the House Committee on Appropriations.

He said the national government allotted a total of P164 billion budget for the campaign against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan Act 2.

“The cash assistance is a big help to our constituents who are affected by MECQ,” he added.

On September 7, the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) issued Resolution No. 69-A that placed the City of Bacolod under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from September 8 to 30, due to the increase of Covid-19 cases. Mayor Evelio Leonardia, likewise, issued Executive Order No. 60 pursuant to the resolution.

Gasataya said Bautista also assured him that they will continue to help the City Government of Bacolod.

The Bacolod City Council earlier approved a resolution requesting the DSWD to fast-track the release of the remaining second tranche for the more or less 20,000 Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiaries and former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) dependents in Bacolod City. The resolution was authored by Councilor Simplicia Distrito.

Distrito said the declaration of the MECQ in the city worried those who have yet to receive the assistance if and when it will be released, considering that they badly need the money for their sustenance.