Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development is inching closer to fully releasing the remaining cash aid for its target of 14.1 million beneficiary families during the first stretch of lockdowns.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said Wednesday that some 12.135 million families have so far received the second tranche of aid under the government’s Social Amelioration Program, which is worth between ₱5,000 and ₱8,000 for each household.
The total releases amount to ₱73.07 billion as of August 12, representing 86 percent of the total. Among those who received the funds are those who remained under enhanced community quarantine in May — which was supposed to cover their basic needs at the time — as well as previously waitlisted beneficiaries.
Bautista said direct payouts are still done in remote areas, while digital payments have been carried out elsewhere. He named e-wallets GCash, PayMaya, and Starpay as well as Union Bank of the Philippines, Robinsons Bank, and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation as the platforms for fund transfers.
Cash aid may also be withdrawn over the counter through conduits like M Lhuillier and Palawan Express, he added.
Bautista noted that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed full operational workforce for these financial firms even in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine to process the remaining releases. DSWD earlier said that the reversal to MECQ hampered payouts of the remaining subsidies.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it is unlikely for a third wave of cash aid to be provided even if Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite reverted to strict stay-at-home rules for two weeks this August.
READ: Less educated Filipinos got less cash aid from gov’t – SWS
