Aid for areas under MECQ depends on Congress, LGUs —Palace

Malacañang on Monday said the financial assistance to vulnerable households in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will depend on Congress and local government units.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque hoped that the cash aid will be included in the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, which aims to provide a stimulus package to offset the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Isasama po siguro ‘yan sa Bayanihan 2 dahil ang unang ayuda pong ipinamigay natin ay sang-ayon po sa batas. Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, hindi po pupuwede gagastusin ang kaban ng taumbayan nang walang batas po na ipinapasa ang Kongreso,” he said.

Roque also said the LGUs may also extend assistance to their constituents.

“Handa naman po ang lahat na talagang to look for the funds that we can still find dahil alam naman po natin na habang naka-MECQ tayo karamihan ng ating mga kababayan ay hindi po makakapagtrabaho,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal back to MECQ from general community quarantine for 15 days effective Tuesday, August 4.

Duterte’s decision came after medical frontliners asked for Metro Manila to return to an enhanced community quarantine for two weeks to give them time to rest and "recalibrate strategies" against COVID-19.

Also on Sunday, the President approved the hiring of additional healthcare workers to augment the current workforce, including the hiring of 10,000 medical professionals and the calling to active duty and enlistment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The government is also pushing for additional benefits, such as risk allowance for private sector healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients, in the amount of P10,000 to P15,000 for every healthcare worker that gets sick, life insurance, free accommodation, free transportation, free and frequent testing. —KBK, GMA News