P1K per person cash aid rule for NCR ECQ likely, says Nograles

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said Saturday that the government might follow the P1,000 per individual with a maximum of P4,000 per family cash aid template for the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20.

In an interview on "Dobol B TV," Nograles also noted that President Rodrigo Duterte could do away with the guideline and make a different order.

“‘Yung ginawa natin last time, I don’t think na magbabago pa rin ‘yan. The same pa rin unless may advice galing kay pangulo. Otherwise, ‘yun ang ipa-follow natin. Kung ano ang template nung nakaraan, ‘yun din ang gagamiting template,” Nograles said.

[I don't think we will change the guidelines we used last time. The template that was used will be the same, unless there is an advice coming from the President.]

On Friday, Malacañang said the guidelines for the ayuda (cash aid) distribution will soon be issued.

Prior to the announcement that Metro Manila will be placed under ECQ again, Malacañang said that the government will release cash aid of P1,000 to P4,000 per family in areas under ECQ from July 16 to August 7.

Among the areas under ECQ are the province of Iloilo, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.

According to Nograles, the existing government policy on cash aid distribution since it was first implemented during the ECQ in the NCR Plus bubble last March has not been changed.

Likewise, Nograles said the Department of Social Welfare and Development will use its previous payout system for the August ECQ in Metro Manila.

For the first cash aid release under Bayanihan 1 Law, the DSWD handed out the subsidy to the beneficiaries,  while digital transaction was explored for the mixed payout mode under the Bayanihan 2 Law.

“Sa NCR, it will not be a problem kung digital. May capability ng mixed mode. Pero sa NCR ay mostly digital payment na mas madaling i-verify kung actually na-receive ng recipient. Mas madaling ma-trace at ma-audit,” he said.

[Digital cash aid distribution will not be a problem for the NCR. A mixed payment mode will work because the capital region has the capability for money transfer, which is easier to verify, trace and audit.]

On the other hand, Nograles pointed out that the government cannot ensure assistance for small businesses during the scheduled ECQ in Metro Manila.

There should be a source of funding for the assistance that will be given to micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), adding that it may be included in the proposed Bayanihan 3 Law, he said.

“Kung sasabihin ng Congress na kailangan i-repaso, magpasa ng Bayanihan Law para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng MSMEs, it is up to Congress to do so, gaya ng ginawa nila sa Bayanihan 1 and 2. Otherwise nakatali tayo sa pondong nakalaan presently, mga programa sa national budget,” he said.

[It is up to Congress to pass another Bayanihan Law to help the MSMEs, like they did in Bayanihan 1 and 2. Otherwise, we will stick to the funds and programs under the national budget.]

On the other hand, Nograles disclosed that the government has already secured four million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Metro Manila.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. made the assurance during the Metro Manila council meeting with the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Friday night.

Earlier today, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. said NCR mayors have agreed to continue with the 250,000 vaccinations a day during the two-week ECQ in August.

On Friday morning, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced that Metro Manila will be placed under ECQ from August 6 to 20 in a bid to slow down the transmission of the Delta coronavirus variant in the country.

From July 31 to August 5, however, the region will be under general community quarantine "subject to heightened and additional restrictions.”

“Mapait na desisyon ito pero ito ay para sa kabutihan ng lahat [This is a painful decision but it is for the good of the people],” Roque said at a press briefing. —LBG, GMA News