Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) – More Filipinos can expect to receive their cash assistance from the government in the coming weeks.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it will finish distributing cash aid to qualified recipients by the end of the month.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang ating mga local government units, sabay-sabay ang kanilang pagbibigay, at base sa ating pagtatala at sa ating estimates, kung tuloy-tuloy ang trend, matatapos natin ang pamimigay ng ating subsidiya bago matapos ang buwan na ito,” DSWD Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin said in a briefing Monday.
[Translation: The local government units continue to distribute the cash aid, and based on our estimates, if this trend continues, we will be able to finish distributing our subsidies before the end of this month.]
Gudmalin said that the DSWD has so far distributed over ₱6 billion to at least one million non-4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries and more than ₱16.3 billion to 4Ps beneficiaries, through their cash cards, nationwide.
“Umabot na sa mahigit na ₱22 billion ang naipahatid sa 4.7 million beneficiaries ng social amelioration program,” Gudmalin said.
[Translation: More than ₱22 billion worth of cash aid has been distributed to 4.7 million beneficiaries of the social amelioration program.]
Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the government’s Social Amelioration Program shall provide 18 million families a monthly allowance between ₱5,000 to ₱8,000 for up to two months, depending on the prevailing minimum wage rates in the area where they live.
Gudmalin said that ₱74.5 billion has been given to 1,359 local government units (LGUs) across the country, and is ready for distribution. This makes up 90 percent of the ₱81 billion that was already given to DSWD regional offices.
The Department of Budget and Management said Friday it has handed nearly ₱199.98 billion to the DSWD for distribution to over 18 million low-income household during the enhanced community quarantine.
READ: DBM: Nearly ₱200B released to DSWD for COVID-19 cash aid
The DSWD provided additional assistance to local governments needing family food packs, with over 445,000 food packs worth ₱173 million distributed to LGUs needing it across the country.
Meanwhile, ₱86 million worth of aid was given to at least 18,000 Filipinos with COVID-19 related cases, like those needing medical and burial assistance, Gudmalin said.
More than ₱323 million has also been given to at least 40,000 public utility drivers in the National Capital Region, Gudmalin added.
Amid reports of Filipinos using the government’s cash aid for vices, the DSWD has called on recipients of the cash aid to use it properly, buying only the essentials.
DSWD also said that illegal recipients of cash aid should refund it to the government.
