MANILA --  The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of PhP10.894 billion to cover the financial assistance of affected individuals and households in the National Capital Region, which was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 6 to 20, 2021.

The total funding requirement was charged from the certified savings from the FY 2020 Continuing Appropriations pursuant to Administrative Order No. 41. The cash aid will be released directly by the Bureau of Treasury to the concerned local government units (LGUs) through their respective authorized government servicing banks. 

Upon receipt of the funds, the LGUs shall facilitate and determine the most efficient and effective way for the provision of financial assistance to their constituents. Affected low-income individuals and families are expected to receive PhP1,000 per person and a maximum of PhP4,000 per household, to ensure that food and other non-food requirements are met despite the imposed lockdown. Overall, the cash aid shall benefit 10.9 million individuals or the bottom 80 percent of the population in Metro Manila, based on the population projection and available data of the Philippine Statistics Authority. 

In addition, the distribution of the assistance will be monitored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 

To ensure the proper utilization of the funds, the beneficiary LGU shall comply with the posting and reporting requirements specified in the DBM Local Budget Circular No. 138, which may be accessed through the DBM Website: https://www.dbm.gov. ph/wp-content/uploads/ Issuances/2021/Local-Budget- Circular/LOCAL-BUDGET- CIRCULAR-NO-138-DATED-AUGUST- 6-2021.pdf  (DBM)