Local government units (LGUs) have until May 15 to distribute the cash aid to 22.9 million low-income residents of the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus) affected by the two-week implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Malacañang said Tuesday.

“In-extend ang deadline na makumpleto ang pamamahagi ng financial assistance hanggang 15 ng Mayo 2021 (The deadline for completing the distribution of financial assistance has been extended until May 15, 2021),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser.

This developed following appeals from several LGUs to extend the deadline for the distribution of assistance in NCR Plus, which covers Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, Roque said.

Under the guidelines earlier released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local officials must complete the release of aid “in 15 calendar days upon receipt of the funds if the assistance is in cash or within 30 calendar days if assistance is in-kind”.

Roque said LGUs have been given more time to finish the distribution of aid to avoid mass gatherings, considering that the country is still grappling with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Tayo ay nasa panahon po ng Covid-19. Bawal ang malakihang pagtitipun-tipon. Kailangang pangalagaan ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng lahat (There is a Covid-19 pandemic. Mass gatherings are prohibited. We have to ensure the safety and health of everyone),” he said.

Roque added that local officials are also looking for “flexible” arrangements by distributing the assistance either through digital means or house-to-house.

The most restrictive ECQ was implemented in NCR Plus from March 29 to April 11 due to the alarming surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

The status was downgraded to modified ECQ from April 12 to 30.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the allocation of PHP23 billion worth of emergency subsidy for low-income households.

Each beneficiary can receive either in-kind or cash assistance amounting to PHP1,000 per person or a maximum of PHP4,000 per family.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista earlier admitted that there was a “slow start” of the distribution of aid in NCR Plus but guaranteed improvement in the coming days.

The DSWD reported Monday that around 7,470,149 low-income earners or 32.5 percent of the 22.9 million recipients have already received the assistance, as of April 18. (PNA)