Gov’t extends ECQ aid payout to May 15

Local government units have been given until May 15 to complete the distribution of cash assistance to low-income residents of the National Capital Plus bubble.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the extension of the deadline in aid distribution was granted following the request of various local officials.

“In-extend ang deadline na makumpleto ang pamahahagi ng financial assistance hanggang May 15, 2021 (The deadline for the completion of distribution of financial assistance has been extended to May 15, 2021),” he said during televised press briefing Tuesday, April 20.

“Tayo ay nasa panahon ng COVID19. Bawal ang malakihang pagtitipontipon. Kailangan pangalagaan ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng lahat (We are living amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Large gatherings are prohibited. The safety and health of everyone must be protected),” he said.

Roque noted that some local government officials were also still arranging the method of distributing the aid through digital means or houseto-house.

Last March 30, the President approved the P22.9-billion supplemental amelioration program to help millions of poor Filipinos to cope with the ECQ declared in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Under the new program, the national government set aside a budget of P1,000 for each of 22.9 million lowincome persons staying in areas under ECQ. The funds were to be released to the local government units, which will be given elbow room to decide if the aid will be given in cash or in-kind.

So far, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that over 7.4 million people have received the financial assistance. Local government units have distributed around P7.4 billion in supplemental aid in NCR Plus.

The President earlier directed authorities to ensure the swift and corruption-free distribution of the relief assistance to the ECQ beneficiaries.