By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday (Aug. 9) announced that the distribution of financial aid will start on Wednesday this week.
“Doon sa meeting ng mga NCR mayors, napagkasunduan nila na magsimula sa Miyerkules. Sa Miyerkules, imo-monitor ‘yan ng DSWD at ng DILG ang actual na distribution ng mga ayuda sa ating mga kababayan sa NCR,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a Malacañang public briefing.
According to the joint memorandum circular released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of National Defense (DND), and DILG, LGUs will have 15 days to distribute the cash aid.
They may ask for extension if they fail to distribute the ayuda within 15 days, said Malaya.
“Alam naman namin ang hirap ng pamimigay sa panahon ng Delta variant surge. Dahil dito sa Delta variant na ito, mahigpit pong ipapatupad ang social distancing at wala pong mass gathering sa pamimigay ng ayuda,” Malaya said.
Meanwhile, DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista said that the ayuda will cover food.
“’Yung financial assistance na ibibigay ay that will cover ‘yung food provision. Pero and DSWD naman po, kapag nag-request ang ating local na pamahalaan, ay nakahanda naman tayong mamahagi ng family food packs,” Bautista said.
As for the cash aid to be given to Laguna and Bataan, the request for budget has been submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Office of the President.
According to a briefer sent by the DBM, the proposed financial assistance for Laguna amounts to P2.715 billion, while the total cash aid for Bataan is still being computed.
However, the amount distributed per individual (P1,000) and per household (maximum of P4,000) remains the same. -rir
