P922-M cash aid distributed to over 170k poor families, 40k drivers

Cabinet Secretary Karl Nograles. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far distributed a total of P922 million worth of cash aid to low-income families and public transport drivers.

The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said Wednesday the cash subsidy benefited over 170,000 poor families and over 40,000 drivers.

“Pagdating naman po sa [In terms of the] Emergency Subsidy Program ng Department of Social Welfare and Development, a total of 922 million pesos’ worth of emergency subsidies have been distributed to 170,989 low income, non-4Ps families,” IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a virtual briefing.

Nograles noted this is on top of over three million Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who had earlier received cash grants worth P16.3 billion.

“Naipamigay na rin po ng DSWD ang emergency subsidies sa 40,418 na tsuper ng TNVS [Transportation Network Vehicle Service] at mga drayber ng ating mga pampublikong sasakyan,” Nograles added.

(The DSWD has also given emergency subsidies to 40,418 TNVS and public transport drivers.)

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, some 18 million low-income households will be given a subsidy to help them cope with the effects of the government’s measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The government set aside P200 billion for these families, where P5,000 to P8,000 will be distributed to beneficiaries depending on the minimum wage rates in their respective regions.

Edited by JPV