ECQ Ayuda 2021: Expectations and Realities in the Philippine Setting

Initial news about the ECQ Ayuda 2021 did not inspire much expectation in me. Realities of the past ayuda distribution appeared to have effectively disqualified most of the so-called middle class citizens of the country. As the ayuda cash pay-out continue in different parts of the NCR Plus consisting of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal, let us list some of the expectations and realities that are unfolding.

All Households or Selected Households

The National Government announced that financial assistance will be given to all households located in the NCR Plus area. As soon as the ayuda payments rolled-out, news of unfair selection of beneficiaries started to roll in. It was clarified over and over again that all households in the affected area will be included. Beneficiaries just have to be present to receive the money.

While numerous households complain that the promised assistance have yet to reach them, some households seem to travel together with the ayuda distribution. Reports of some individuals receiving double were many. There were even reports that vacant homes were lighted up to signify occupancy. Warnings had to be issued that those who actually did this will face criminal charges if they fail to return the double pay-out.

1K or 4K

Financial assistance was set at P1,000 per individual or a maximum of P4,000 per family.   Reports that many families received less than what they should while being asked to sign a waiver to file a complaint were many. Some families “invited” non-residents of the area to be part of their extended family, at least for the ayuda distribution day.

If we are to think about it, such amount wouldn’t go that far because of the exorbitant prices of goods today. There is no denying however that it still is a big help. This should not be an excuse though to take advantage whether it be on the part of the people doing the pay-out or those receiving it.

Line-up or House-to-House Delivery

Most LGUs still opted for the traditional way of distributing assistance. Residents have to line up, bear the extreme heat, and expose themselves to health risks. Yes, the very risk that the government told us to avoid.

Some got it right this time just like Biñan City. Barangay personnel distributed the forms to the residents and City Government personnel followed soon after to do the pay-out. The kind of leadership really matters to make possible what others say is not possible or too difficult to do.

My Say

We received our ayuda cash pay-out minus the inconvenience and our family is thankful. There is that deep frustration however that I feel about people who get less what they should, of people who try to get more than they should and about officials who allow this practice to perpetuate or even encourage this to happen. If there is anything that we should learn from this pandemic, that is, we will only survive this if we start thinking of others as we take care of our own.