DSWD: P58.58-B worth of social aid transferred to LGUs nationwide

MANILA, Philippines – P58.58 billion worth of funds for the social amelioration program (SAP) have been transferred to local government units (LGUs) nationwide, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) confirmed on Wednesday.

Of the P58.58 billion, the largest allocation yet was handed to the National Capital Region (NCR), with P12.46 billion.  Here is a breakdown provided by DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao to reporters:

• Region 1: P4.001 B  for 120 LGUs
• Region 2: P2.594 B  for 70 LGUs
• Cordillera Administrative Region: P1.307 B for 77 LGUs
• Region 3: P7.547 B for 103 LGUs
• National Capital Region: P12.46 B for LGUs
• Region 4-A: P4.819 B for 54 LGUs
• Region 4-B: P1.964 B for 71 LGUs
• Region 5: P3.861 B for 114 LGUs
• Region 6: P5.530 B for 91 LGUs
• Region 7: P4.041 B for 108 LGUs
• Region 9: P1.874 B for 62 LGUs
• Region 10: P2.692 B for 66 LGUs
• Region 11: P2.422 B for 42 LGUs
• Region 12: P1.953 for 36 LGUs
• Caraga: P1.508 B for 23 LGUs

DSWD said that these numbers are as of Tuesday evening.

In the P12.46 billion transmitted to NCR’s LGUs, Quezon City had the highest allocation with P3.020 billion, followed by Caloocan City (P1.726 billion), and the City of Manila (P1.485 billion).

Here are the other Metro Manila cities that have received funding for the government’s SAP:

• Pasig: P750.9 million
• Taguig: P739.7 million
• Valenzuela: P661.6 million
• Parañaque: P621.3 million
• Makati: P558.3 million
• Las Piñas: P541.9 million
• Marikina: P449.8 million
• Muntinlupa: P430.6 million
• Pasay: P370.2 million
• Mandaluyong: P368.3 million
• Malabon: P335.0 million
• Navotas: P223.824 million
• San Juan: P130.4 million
• Pateros: P53.65 million

The SAP, which was mandated by the Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, is intended to help workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) all over Luzon.

After the government placed the ECQ, work was suspended except for those in frontline services like hospitals and service crews.  This has left people who rely on daily wages and earnings, and whose jobs cannot adapt to a work-from-home scheme, without an income throughout the lockdown.

Under R.A. 11469, at least 18 million families are entitled to a monthly cash assistance worth P5,000 to P8,000, depending on the minimum wage rates in an area.

As of now, Luzon and other areas are still under the ECQ due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.  Department of Health officials said that there are now 5,453 infected patients — 349 of which have already died while at least 353 have recovered.

Worldwide, over 1.98 million individuals have been infected, while 126,834 have died from the disease and 484,109 have recovered from it.