Despite funds ‘shortage’, Isko Moreno says ‘ayuda’ distribution in Manila may start Aug. 10

FILE PHOTO/ Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

Update

MANILA, Philippines — The distribution of the cash aid in the city of Manila for those affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) may begin on August 10, Mayor Isko Moreno said Friday.

Moreno said the city government received more than P1,488,600,000  for the cash aid for his constituents—an amount smaller than what they received during a similar cash aid program back in April this year.

The mayor said that despite an earlier announcement from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that local government units may begin the distribution by August 7, the city government may only begin the distribution on August 10 since they still have to withdraw the funds and the banks are closed over the weekend.

“Hindi totoo na bukas pwede na naming ibigay sa inyo… Walang bangko bukas. Hindi ko alam dito sa DSWD kung naisip nila ‘yun kasi pinaasa natin ang mga tao bukas e pwede namang sabihin ‘as soon as possible,’” Moreno said.

(We cannot give you the money tomorrow. There is no bank tomorrow. I’m not sure if here at DSWD they thought ‘that’s because we hope people will receive it as soon as possible.)

“Malamang ho ito ang pinakamahina Miyerkules, pinakamabilis, Martes,” the mayor added.

(This will probably happen on Wednesday, or at the earliest on Tuesday.)

Moreno added that they were also instructed to only initially withdraw P200 million of the P1.488 billion funds. This could slow down the cash aid distribution, said the mayor.

Moreover, Moreno lamented that the amount they received for the cash aid distribution is smaller than what was given to them during a similar cash aid program back in April.

The city mayor said that in April, they were given P1,523,278,000 for the cash aid distribution. This was able to cover 380,820 families.

“Ang ibig kong sabihin, more or less kulang ng P34 million doon sa dating listahan na ginawa nung Abril,” Moreno said.

(I mean, the previous list was more or less P34 million less than this one.)

“Kulang ng mga P34 million mahigit. ‘Yung P34 million if P4,000 per family, mayroong 8,662 na pamilyang hindi mabibigyan,” he added.

(There is a shortfall of more than P34 million. Assuming P4,000 per family, the P34 million cannot be given to 8,662 families.)

Nonetheless, Moreno vowed to find a way to source the P34 million shortage to cover all beneficiaries based on the April cash aid distribution.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the aid distribution of P1,000 per individual but not more than P4,000 per household under ECQ.