Families and individuals who will be most affected by the impending implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 6 to 20, 2021 will be assured of financial assistance from the government.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr confirmed in a press briefing on August 3, 2021 that each qualified beneficiary will receive P1,000 and families can receive up to as much as P4,000.
“Nandiyan na po ang kasagutan kung saan natin kukunin ang ating pang ayuda at ang halaga pong gagamitin natin para sa 10.7 [million] residents na makakatanggap ng ayuda sa Metro Manila ay sumatotal 13.1 billion pesos,” said Secretary Roque.
The Palace official said that the government shall source the funds from the unobligated continuing appropriations and excess revenues as certified by the Bureau of Treasury.
Sec. Roque explained that these unobligated continuing appropriations are the savings declared by departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the national government as per Administrative Order No. 41 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on May 12, 2021.
“Kung mayroon pa po tayong kinakailangan na iba pang ibigay na financial assistance dahil nga po dito sa ECQ, kukunin naman po natin iyan sa tinatawag na windfall na nakoleta po ng Bureau of Treasury,” Sec. Roque said.
Meanwhile, on the community quarantine classifications, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that in light of the rising COVID-19 cases in various areas of the country, they have decided to lower the thresholds for determining risk classifications. Usec Vergeire said that preemptive restrictions are now being applied in areas that are at moderate risk with increasing number of cases to prevent the further spread of the virus, particularly the Delta variant.
Vergeire said that to address the increasing cases and the continuous threat of the Delta variant, community responses should be intensified including intensified case finding and shortening the detection to isolation/quarantine interval to less than five days.
Usec Vergeire also mentioned that among the preparations being done to strengthen hospital capacity are the stockpiling of essential medicines and other medical supplies, transferring mild cases to Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities, and the utilization and expansion of telemedicine providers. Lastly, Vergeire emphasized the importance of continuous vaccination to increase coverage for high risk groups in high risk areas.
On the part of the Philippine National Police (PNP), PLt Gen Israel Ephraim Dickson, Deputy Chief, PNP for Operation and Commander of the Joint Task Force Covid Shield assured that some 1,019 PNP personnel are now deployed in 75 quarantine checkpoints that have been established in various areas around the NCR Bubble (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal) to intensify border control.
On another story, Sec. Roque congratulated boxer Nesthy Petecio for winning a silver medal in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. “(N)apakagaling po ng pinakitang lakas at gilas ng ating Nesthy Petecio, congratulations Nesthy Petecio for the silver in boxing, ” Roque remarked.
Also on Olympics news, Roque likewise congratulated another boxer, Carlo Paalam for beating his opponent from Uzbekistan and securing at least a bronze medal for the Philippines. ### OPS-PCOO
