DBM: Bataan to get P700M for ECQ ‘ayuda’

MANILA, Philippines — Bataan province is set to receive P700-million worth of cash aid for its residents affected by the imposition of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over the province, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Tuesday.

The amount was determined by the local government and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DBM Spokesperson Asec. Rolly Toledo said.

Aside from Bataan, Laguna province will likewise get funds amounting to P2.715 billion for cash aid for its residents.

“Pinadala na namin yung memorandum sa President para ma-aprubahan. Irerelease na rin ‘yan sa LGUs sa ating lalawigan ng Bataan at Laguna,” he said in a televised public briefing.

(We already sent the memorandum to the President for his approval. We will release it to LGUs in Bataan and Laguna.)

Laguna was placed under ECQ starting August 6 to August 15 while Bataan was placed under ECQ starting August 8 to August 22.

The DBM, meanwhile, has already released about P10.98 billion of funds for ECQ cash aid over Metro Manila, the distribution of which is set to start on Wednesday, August 11.

Toledo said the funds were sourced from fiscal year 2020’s certified savings.

JPV