Vaccinated or not you can get cash aid — DILG
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that all qualified residents are entitled to get the government’s cash assistance whether they are vaccinated or not.
Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya described as fake news rumors that only inoculated individuals are those who can avail of the government’s ayuda.
“There is no truth whatsoever to the rumor that only vaccinated individuals will be given Ayuda,” Malaya said.
He pointed out that the Ayuda 2 approved by President Rodrigo Duterte is for low-income individuals and families in the National Capital Region (NCR) regardless of vaccination status.
The guidelines are now being finalized for the immediate release of the funds following the same system implemented during Ayuda 1 last April.
The reports about the unvaccinated poor individuals not receiving the ayuda drew roars of protests from the intended recipients.
President Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Inter Agency Task Force to place the National Capital Region under a two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
A day before the implementation of ECQ, vaccination sites in Metro Manila are filled with people who wanted to get vaccine shots.
According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos, this could be the result of the “no-vaccina-no ayuda” rumors that circulate in the social media.
The DILG emphasized that the vaccination program in all the local government units (LGUs) will continue even during the two-week ECQ period.
All those who are scheduled for vaccination will be considered as authorized persons outside residences (APOR) and are allowed to go out of their residences.
“Some 4M additional vaccines will be made available as supplies continue to pour in. In fact, we will utilize the 2-week lockdown to ramp up vaccination in Metro Manila in cooperation with the LGUs in order for us to reach population protection this year,” Malaya said.
