Gov't to Reevaluate Funding If Quarantine Extends Past May, Says NEDA Chief

The Philippine government’s economic managers will reevaluate funding if the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in high-risk areas goes beyond May, said acting Socioeconomic Planning Chief Karl Kendrick Chua said on April 29. 

Chua told DZMM that there are prepared funds for COVID-19 response good for 2 months, covering April to May.

Under Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, P200 billion will be delivered to an estimated 18 million low-income households as emergency subsidy.

On April 24, President Rodrigo Duterte extended the ECQ in high-risk areas to May 15. Areas with low to moderate risk of further spreading the virus will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 1. Under GCQ, essential services may resume full or partial operations, while mass transport can operate on limited capacity.

Chua warned employers and businesses resuming operations on May 1, as a second wave of infection is possible.

"Dapat maingat tayo, wag tayo mabilis mag-open up. Dapat tingnan natin ang kabuuang kapakanan natin kasi baka magmadali tayo, mabalik naman yan nang mas matindi," he added.

As of April 29, there have been 8,212, cases in the country, with 1,023 recoveries and 55 deaths.