DSWD: P80.8 billion worth of gov’t cash aid distributed to LGUs

MANILA, Philippines — A total of P80.8 billion worth of funds has been given to 1,589 local government units as cash aid due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Tuesday.

The number represents 98.56 percent of the funds allocated for the government’s social amelioration program (SAP), DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said in an online briefing.

“Ayon sa datos kahapon, and DSWD ay nakapagpamahagi na po ng  P80.8 billion na pondo para sa 1,589 local na pamahalaan sa buong bansa,” Bautista said.

(According to the latest data as of yesterday, the DSWD has distributed P80.8 million for the 1,589 local government units for the whole country.)

“May 98.56 percent na ng budget na nakalaan para sa SAP implementation ang naipamahagi sa local na pamahalaan (About 98.56 percent of the total budget allocated for SAP implementation has been given to the local government),” he added.

Meanwhile, 459 out of the 1,589 LGUs reported a “100 percent completion rate” in the SAP distribution, Bautista said.

There were also 38 LGUs who have submitted completed liquidation reports in the implementation of the SAP.

Of the total P80.8 billion, P51.1 billion was given to 8.6 low-income, non-Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) families.

Another P16.3 billion was given to 8.7 million 4Ps beneficiaries who are cash card holders, while P363.8 million was given to 92,923 4Ps beneficiaries who have not registered their cash cards.

And P323 million was distributed to 40,418 transport network vehicle service drivers and pubic utility vehicle drivers in the National Capital Region.

“Sa pangkahalatan, umabot na sa mahigit P68.2 billion ang naipahatid sa 12.5 million na benepisyaryo ng social amelioration program,” Bautista said.

(All in all, P68.2 billion has been distributed to 12.5 million beneficiaries of the social amelioration program.)

Under Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”, 18 million low-income families affected by the COVID-19  pandemic will benefit from the SAP, as they will receive a cash subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 for two months, depending on prevailing regional minimum wages.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines has 9,684 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 1,408 successfully recovered while 637 have died.

EDV