Some 1.75 million Filipinos within the 'NCR Plus' have so far received financial aid, Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista said Monday as he admitted that the rollout was off to a slow start. 

Of the 67,347 beneficiaries from NCR Plus, 6,817 are based in Bulacan; 8,422 in Cavite; 14,161 in Laguna; 10,582 in Rizal, and 27,365 in NCR.

Home care could be considered for low-risk individuals who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, said Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, a pediatric infectious disease expert. 

Government spending on infrastructure posted a double-digit growth as of February driven by belated release of funds under the Bayanihan II law.

The Department of Health has warned the public against using COVID-19 rapid antigen tests that can be bought online and urged them to coordinate with proper health authorities instead.