The government is getting ready to distribute cash aid to residents of Metro Manila who will be affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that will be imposed from August 6 to 20.

The ECQ imposition will hopefully check the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said the cash aid will be similar to what was done last March, or the government will provide affected Metro Manila residents P1,000 per person or up to P4,000 per family.

The budget estimate for that is about P30 billion, which is also contained in the Bayanihan to Arise As One Bill or Bayanihan 3 pending in the House of Representatives.

“The imposition of ECQ in Metro Manila due to the threat of the Delta variant brings to light the urgency of Bayanihan 3, and we appeal to our counterparts in the Senate to pass this measure and to our economic managers to secure funding for this bill,”  House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said.

Bayanihan 1 (Bayanihan to Heal as Once Act) and Bayanihan 2 (Bayanihan to Recover as One Act) previously provided financial assistance under the Social Amelioration Program.

“We understand that the Executive Department is doing all it can to mitigate the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19. We urge everyone to observe health standards and to be extra vigilant so that our health care system will not be overwhelmed,” Velasco added.