LOCAL government units in Metro Manila began on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, the distribution of cash assistance to the low-income families affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the region.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya led the ceremonial distribution of financial aid in Greenheights Village in Barangay San Isidro in Parañaque City.
Beneficiaries wearing face masks and face shields got in line early in various distribution sites.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said LGUs are releasing the cash aid of P1,000 our individual and P4,000 per family by schedule.
This is being done to avoid overcrowding at the site. Beneficiaries are being informed about their schedule through a text message or a post at the barangay bulletin.
In Makati, Mayor Abbigail Binay said they will also use electronic money transfer to distribute the financial aid.
She urged beneficiaries to update their information in the city’s online portal.
In San Juan, beneficiaries from Barangays Sta. Lucia, Isabelita, St. Joseph, and Addition Hills were the first to get their ayuda.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan urged his constituents to not go to payout centers if they have not yet received a text message about their schedule.
“Bago magtungo sa payout sites, dapat nakatanggap ang benepisyaryo ng text message mula sa USSC kasama ang control number at schedule sa pag-claim ng ayuda,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Para sa mga nagpalit ng cellphone number, nawala ang cellphone o nag-iba ng sim card, maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa inyong barangay para sa inyong control number na kinakailangan sa pag-claim ng ayuda kasama ang valid ID,” he added.
In the City of Manila, Mayor Francisco Domagoso said the local Department of Social Welfare and Development will lead the distribution of cash aid.
Domagoso urged his constituents to “behave” and follow the minimum health protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
A total of P13.1 billion will benefit 10.7 million low-income earners in NCR.
In Pasig City, Mayor Vico Sotto said they set aside P90 million, on top of the P650 million released to the city by the national government, in order to provide food packs to those who are not entitled to cash assistance.
Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano also ordered the release of P250,000 to each of the 28 barangays in the city to buy additional food packs for their constituents.
These are on top of the regular city aid being released by the local government to its barangays and the cash aid issued by the national government.
“We have allotted for all Taguig families, regardless of economic standing to receive food packs from the local government,” Cayetano said.
Each food pack is good for three to four days for a family of five. It includes rice, canned goods, coffee, energy drinks, and instant noodles.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar ordered police units to enforce health protocols in payout sites.
Eleazar said cops should be aware of the schedule and system of cash aid distribution in their areas of responsibility.
“Hindi dapat mangyari sa cash aid distribution ang nangyari nitong nakaraang linggo sa iba’t-ibang vaccination centers kung saan dinumog ng mga tao,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)