Areas on extended lockdown to get cash aid priority: Duterte spox

Distribution of the second tranche of cash aid from the government will prioritize Metro Manila and other areas where the enhanced community quarantine will be extended to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson said Friday. 

While some areas will remain under lockdown until May 15, others will be placed under general community quarantine after April 30, the end of the Luzon-wide lockdown, that will allow the resumption of some industries, the government earlier announced. 

• READ: Duterte extends Philippines lockdown until May 15, changes coverage

"Ito nga po iyong importansya ng pag-distinguish between the ECQ and GCQ areas kasi ngayon po mabibigyan na talaga ng prayoridad iyong mga nasa ECQ," said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. 

(This is the importance of distinguishing between the ECQ and GCQ areas because now we can now give priority to those under ECQ.) 

Some 18 million of the most vulnerable Filipino families stand to receive P5,000 to P8,000 each for two months from the government while under quarantine. About a quarter of the beneficiaries have received the aid, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday. 

• 1 in 4 beneficiaries have received cash aid from national gov't: DILG

“Ipagpaumanhin n'yo po iyong kung ano mang delay [sa cash aid]. Inaaako na po namin ang delay na ' yan at ipinapangako po namin na gumagawa naman ng hakbang nang sa pangalawang tranche ng SAP at iba pang mga ayuda ay hindi na po magkaroon ng ganyang delay,” Roque told DZMM. 

(Sorry for the delay. We are taking responsibility for that delay and we promise that we are taking steps so that the second tranche of the social amelioration program and other assistance won’t be delayed.) 

• LIST: Enhanced, general quarantine areas until May 15

DZMM, April 24, 2020