Manila releases P19 million aid, face masks

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila city government has approved the release of an additional P19.941 million in cash assistance for the city’s indigent families.

Moreno said the cash aid would be distributed to 19,941 families in 100 barangays in the city’s six districts.

He said the additional funding would be given to families who have not yet received any cash aid from the local government.

Moreno said upon reconsideration, the city government approved the requests of the barangays to allocate more funds for the poor.

The P1,000 cash aid will be sourced from the city’s Amelioration Crisis Assistance Fund or CACAF, which was formed to Manila residents affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“Ang mga barangay officials na nanghingi ng tulong ay umabot po sa 100. Itong 19,941 families, amounting to P19,941,000 ang assistance, ay inaprubahan na po para sa inyo,” the mayor said on Facebook Live on Tuesday.

The families who have not received cash assistance were included in the updated masterlists submitted by the barangays to the city hall.

Moreno also appealed for understanding from families who have yet to receive their P1,000 cash aid from the city government.

“Maraming hindi nabigyan dahil una, kalituhan ng mga tao sa barangay kung sino ililista. Hindi naman masisisi—pagod, hirap, puyat, tapos natataranta. Iyan ang kinahaharap natin sa krisis, wala ka maiisip na tama o eksaktong formula,” Moreno said.

600,000 face masks

The Manila city hall will also distribute 600,000 face masks to residents in the city’s 896 barangays.

Moreno said one face mask would be given to the quarantine pass holder of each family.

At least 500,000 face masks are washable. The rest are surgical masks.

The masks were donated to the city government, Moreno said.