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.

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.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said many could be left behind because of the "additional disruptions" that a country-wide break could bring.