AID DISTRIBUTION EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 15
LOCAL government units (LGUs) were given until May 15 to finish the distribution of financial assistance to households affected by the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said local officials requested for the extension.
Roque said the extension was allowed to avoid mass gatherings even as the distribution process was being adjusted to make it “flexible.”
He noted some local government officials were still arranging the method of distributing the aid through digital means or house-to-house.
“Tayo ay nasa panahon ng Covid-19. Bawal ang malakihang pagtitipon-tipon. Kailangan pangalagaan ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng lahat (We are living during Covid-19 times. Large gatherings are prohibited. The safety and health of everyone must be protected),” he said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier told LGUs to complete the distribution of financial aid in 15 days after receipt of the funds or within 30 days if the assistance is in-kind.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the release of P23 billion for 22.9 million beneficiaries in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
Each recipient can avail of either in-kind or cash assistance amounting to P1,000 or a maximum of P4,000 per family.
So far, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported over 7.4 million people received financial assistance.
Local government units distributed around P7.4 billion in supplemental aid.