DILG extends ECQ ayuda distribution

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has extended the deadline for the distribution of ayuda or cash aid to families affected by the two-week enhanced community quarantine or ECQ in Metro Manila and two provinces until Aug. 31.

During a meeting of the government’s pandemic task force on Tuesday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año reported that 75 percent of cash assistance intended for the National Capital Region (NCR) had been disbursed as of Aug. 23.

Of the P11.256 billion allocated for Metro Manila, P8.44 billion has been distributed to 8.44 million beneficiaries.

The DILG initially gave local government units (LGUs) 15 days to finish the payout, which was supposed to end yesterday.

“We are extending the deadline until Aug. 31 to give them enough time to provide aid to claimants who have not appeared,” Año said.

The extension will allow LGUs to make adjustments for wait-listed beneficiaries, he added.

About P390.7 million of the P2.71 billion in cash assistance allocated for Laguna has been distributed to 390,695 beneficiaries. Bataan residents have received some P1.28 million in aid.

“We will continue to monitor the distribution of lockdown aid,” Año said.

The national government had placed the NCR, Laguna and Bataan under ECQ due to the soaring number of COVID-19 cases. – Romina Cabrera