Malacañang announced Monday that low-income families in Metro Manila would get P1,000 to P4,000 cash aid once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) begins on August 6.
“Walang ECQ kung walang ayuda,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
“Sigurado may ibibigay na P1,000 per person and maximum of P4,000 per family. Hindi pa lang sigurado saan kukunin,” he added.
(P1,000 per person and a maximum of P4,000 per family will surely be given [to qualified beneficiaries]. We just don’t know yet where the funds will be sourced from.)
Last week, Malacañang admitted that the national government has no budget yet for the proposed two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR).
However, Roque said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to identify on Monday afternoon where the funds for such cash aid would come from.
Metro Manila will remain in general community quarantine (with additional heightened restrictions) from now until August 5 before transitioning to ECQ.
Prohibitions from now until August 5 in Metro Manila include:
indoor dine-in services
al fresco dining
operation of indoor sports courts and venues
operation of indoor tourist attractions and specialized markets by the Department of Tourism
religious gatherings
Those who work in restaurants will be allowed to finish their shifts today, according to Roque. In addition, 30% venue capacity will be allowed for now in outdoor tourist attractions.
Only immediate family members will now be allowed in necrological services and burials, as long as the cause of death is not COVID-19.
Families in NCR to receive P1K to P4K aid under ECQ
Some of the restrictions also include 30% venue capacity on services such as beauty salons, parlors, barbershops, and nail spas.
The following are still in the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) throughout August:
- Iloilo City
- Iloilo
- Cagayan de Oro City
- Gingoog City
Meanwhile, the national government’s running debt balance further balloons to a new record-high of P11.166 trillion as of end-June 2021, widening by P95 billion or 0.9% from P11.071 trillion as of end-May 2021.
The government’s end-June outstanding debt slightly grew by 0.9% or P94.91 billion from the end-May level of P11.071 trillion.
Year-on-year, the debt stock rose by 23.3% from P9.054 trillion as of end-June 2020.
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