P1,000 per person assured for the two-week enhanced community quarantine
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has been very clear, there will be no lockdown should there be no provisions to help the affected persons in areas where strict quarantine measures will be implemented.
Funds for Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo Province and Iloilo City have already been downloaded.
“There will be P1,000 for every person to a maximum of P4,000 per family,” Secretary Roque said during the midday Malacañang press briefing. He added that is already sure. The only problem is where to get the funds. He explained what is clear in President Duterte’s directive is to look for funds.
He added a meeting has been scheduled at 1:30 P.M. today at the Department of Budget and Management to source the funds needed.
Secretary Roque said that was the reason why the government had to target August 6,2021 for the needed lockdown to allow the Executive to find the required funds.
Speaking at the same briefing, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur C. Abalos admitted they are at a loss as to the amount to be extended to affected NCR residents.
He thanked Secretary Roque for coming up with the amount for Metro Manila residents qualified to receive the government’s cash assistance.
“We are talking among ourselves how to distribute the cash assistance without turning the delivery into spreader events,” he explained.
“The affected residents needs to prepare for the ECQ, for people who may need to borrow funds to feed one’s family, may have to do so and the government will have the chance to prepare for the distribution of the needed assistance,” Secretary Roque said. (Melo M. Acuña)
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (left) and MMDA Chairman Benhur C. Abalos. (Screen grab from Presidential Spokesperson Roque's Malacanang Press Briefing/August 2,2021)