Cash aid not enough to cover all ECQ-hit locals –Navotas, Pasig LGUs

The mayors of Navotas and Pasig on Monday admitted that the cash assistance received from the national government will not be enough to cover their constituents who will be bearing the brunt of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila this August.

Maki Pulido's "24 Oras" report indicated that Navotas will use its other funds to provide enough financial aid for all its constituents.

"Magdasal nang maghigpit, nang taimtim. Wala tayong magagawa. Kailangan ng tao ng panggastos sa pangangailangan nila. We will find a way," said Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, adding that the city's other projects will be affected by this reallocation.

(We have to pray harder. We don't have a choice. People need money to buy basic goods.)

In Pasig, Mayor Vico Sotto said over 30,000 beneficiaries will not be able to receive cash aid during the ECQ.

"Hindi mabibigyan ng lahat ng taong nangangailangan. Minabuti po namin magpabili ng food packs, na nasa 260,000," said Sotto.

(Not all will receive the cash aid. We had to buy 260,000 food packs.)

Rolando, 96-year-old, is one of those from a poor household who will need cash aid.

He earns P150 a day by repairing umbrellas and shoes.

With only P2,000 cash aid to get them through the lockdown, Rolando said they will have to eat bread, biscuits, or drink coffee to alleviate their hunger.

Directly to LGUs

Tiangco, nevertheless, thanked the Department of Budget and Management for sending the funds directly to local government units.

Previously, the ECQ aid was channeled through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Over 3,000 beneficiaries did not receive their cash aid.

The DSWD said it is coordinating with Navotas to solve the issue.

Earlier, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) revealed that LGUs will start the distribution of ECQ cash aid to low-income households by August 11. — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News