Palace: Gov't won't run out of funds for ECQ 'ayuda'

Malacañang on Thursday assured the public that the government will not run out of funds for cash aid for families who will be affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said according to Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, available funds include dividends of Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GOCC) and savings from various government agencies.

Congress, he said, could also provide a supplemental budget if needed.

“Hindi po tayo mauubusan ng pondo, iyan ang assurance natin sa taumbayan [We will not run out of funds, that is our assurance to our people],” Roque told a press briefing.

Roque has earlier said the government will spend P13.1 billion to provide cash aid to low-income families in Metro Manila during the two-week implementation of the ECQ from August 6 to 20.

As for areas outside Metro Manila, particularly the CALABARZON region, Roque said the government's pandemic task force will meet on Thursday afternoon to tackle if it could also be placed under ECQ.

Roque earlier said ECQ cannot be easily implemented in highly urbanized areas such as Metro Manila, CALABARZON and Central Luzon, which account for 60% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

The national government decided to place Metro Manila under ECQ for two weeks in light of the threat posed by the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant. —KBK, GMA News