The distribution of cash aid for qualified recipients in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will begin on Wednesday.

Metro Manila Council Chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez earlier said mayors in the National Capital Region will distribute the cash aid to affected residents simultaneously. The government estimated the cash aid required for affected residents in NCR is P13 billion. However, there are other areas outside NCR that are also under ECQ like Laguna and Bataan.

Each qualified individual will receive P1,000 cash, with every household getting a maximum of P4,000.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said local government units (LGUs) whose areas are under ECQ have been instructed to ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to during the distribution.

The recipients are those who got the monetary assistance in April and May as per the database submitted by the LGUs.

“The NCR LGUs have agreed to simultaneously start the assistance distribution on Wednesday),’’ Año told President Rodrigo Duterte during the Cabinet meeting on Monday night.

He added that the police and military will help maintain an orderly distribution process.

Año sought for a supplemental budget of P278 million to ensure that all qualified recipients in the NCR, which is under ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20, will receive the national government’s financial assistance.

He noted that low-income individuals and families temporarily or permanently staying in Metro Manila at the time the ECQ was imposed and who were identified by the LGUs will get the cash aid.

“I will provide a weekly report once the distribution starts,’’ he said.

Año also said LGUs were given advisories to aggressively conduct Covid-19 testing, contact tracing, and isolation of positive patients in designated facilities.

“The ECQ will continue for two weeks and we will try our best to prevent the spread of Covid through restricted mobility or travel,’’ he said.

Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also assured they will assist LGUs during the ayuda distribution and in vaccination centers.