Roque: No ECQ without ‘ayuda’

By Susan De Leon

MANILA, (PIA) – (August 2, 2021) – Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque today assured the economically challenged residents of Metro Manila that there will be “ayuda” or cash aid during the period of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the capital region.

“For sure, there will be no ECQ without any available cash aid, and we intend to give this even before the lockdown starts. That’s why we had a one-week leeway among other reasons,” Roque said during his briefing on Monday.

Beginning Aug. 6 to 20, Metro Manila will be placed under the most restrictive lockdown to thwart COVID-19 infections fueled by the highly contagious Delta variant.

The capital region is currently under general community quarantine (GCQ) with “heightened and additional” restrictions until Aug. 5.

The official also expressed hope that the government will finalize its next steps on funding cash subsidies before ECQ starts.

Those who will be affected by the hard lockdown during the two-week period may receive cash assistance of P1,000 each or up to a maximum P4,000 for a family.

However, Roque said no date yet for start of cash aid rollout in NCR ECQ. (PIA-NCR)