THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has extended the deadline for the distribution of ayuda to low-income individuals and families in Metro Manila to August 31, 2020 upon the request of some NCR local government units (LGUs).

“Upon the request of the LGUs and with the concurrence of Secretary Bautista and Secretary Lorenzana, we have decided to give the LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR) until the end of the month to complete the distribution of ayuda,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año.

“Sa kabilang banda naman ay binabati ko ang Caloocan City LGU sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Malapitan, sampu ng kanyang mga city officials, barangay officials at volunteers, dahil sila pa lamang ang natatanging LGU na nakakompleto ng pamamahagi ng ayuda sa kanilang nasasakupan at natapos pa nila ito bago mag-deadline. Congratulations sa inyo!,” he added.

He also commended the other NCR LGUs because a total of 80.96% or P9.1-billion out of the P11.2-billion ayuda from the national government has already been distributed by the LGUs to the beneficiaries as of August 24, 2021.

“This means that for every 10 low-income individuals, 8 have already received their ayuda. Ito ay katumbas ng mahigit sa siyam na milyong katao sa buong Metro Manila na nakatanggap at nakinabang na ng ayuda. This is the fastest distribution we’ve had in NCR since the start of the pandemic and we did this with people complying with minimum health standards,” he said.

A total of 9,101,999 low income individuals have received their Ayuda in NCR from August 11-24, 2021.

Año said that the decision to extend the deadline for the payout was made after some Metro Manila LGUs requested more time in completing the payout given the limited mobility and manpower to finish the payout due to the increasing cases of COVID-19 in NCR.

“The mayors also need more time to process appeals and grievances so it is justified for us to give an extension,” he said.

Metro Manila LGUs were initially given 15 days to complete the ayuda payout. The distribution of ayuda started on August 11 and was supposed to end Wednesday, August 25, 2021, subject to appeals for extension from the LGUs.

Under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 3, s. 2021 signed by the DILG, DSWD and DND, those affected by the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in NCR will receive financial assistance of P1,000 per low-income individual with a maximum PhP4,000 per low-income family.

The whole of Metro Manila was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, 2021 pursuant to Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 130-E.

The DILG Chief said nearing the finish line and garnering the highest percentage of ayuda distributed are the municipality of Pateros, and the Cities of Pasay, Manila and Mandaluyong with 97.34%, 95.16%, 91.57%, and 85.84%, respectively. Caloocan was the first to complete the distribution of its Ayuda.

A total of 8 LGUs in NCR have at least 80% distribution rate as of August 24.

He assured the public that the Department, in close coordination with LGUs and the Philippine National Police (PNP), is ensuring the safety and security of all those involved during the ongoing distribution of ayuda, as well as the strict observance of minimum public health standards against the spread of COVID-19.