Palace assures financial aid to be given during ECQ

MANILA, Philippines—The national government has assured that financial aid will be given to areas under enhanced community quarantine, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Saturday.

Roque announced the development during the briefing on the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and in the neighboring provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal, and Laguna.

“Dahil naintindihan po ni Presidente [Rodrigo Duterte] na habang tayo ay ECQ at di pupwede magtrabaho, magkakaron tayo ng tulong na ipamimigay sa ating mga kababayan,” said Roque.

(Because the President that we can’t work because we’re under ECQ then aid will be given to our countrymen.)

The amount of the assistance and how it can be disbursed, however, are yet to be finalized.

Financial aid was already given in 2020, the first time that some parts of the country were put under ECQ, during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Labor and Employment provided a one-time P5,000 assistance to workers in April.

Roque added that public transport will still continue in a reduced capacity and advised the public not to panic as public markets, supermarkets, and convenience stores will be open.

/MUF