Palace admits aid not enough, but no additional assistance despite ECQ extension

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday ruled out additional aid to residents affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) despite its extension until April 11 as it admitted that the P1,000 assistance per individual is not enough.

The government will distribute P1,000 per person, but not more than P4,000 per family, either in cash or in-kind, in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna due to the ECQ implementation.

“Aaminin po natin na hindi po sapat iyan, pero ang ayuda naman po kaya tinatawag na ayuda, it is assistance. Hindi po talaga sapat ‘no, it is intended to tide them over ‘no,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(We admit that this is not enough, but aid is called an aid; it is assistance. It is not enough, but it is intended to tide them over.)

“At ang sabi nga po ni [Budget] Secretary [Wendel] Avisado, gustuhin man nating magbigay pa nang mas marami, this is a one-time aid of P4,000 for a family of four ‘no,” he added.

(As Secretary Avisado said, even if we want to give more assistance, this is a one-time aid of P4,000 for a family of four.)

Roque further said that the assistance is only meant to “provide for the bare essentials of life for two weeks.”

Earlier, Roque ruled out extending the ECQ over Greater Manila Area beyond April 11 due to lack of funds for aid but said the government is eyeing the more lenient modified ECQ once the current quarantine status lapses.

abc