DSWD: P94.3B of COVID-19 relief funds distributed to 16.7M beneficiaries

MANILA, Philippines — A total of P94.3 billion in cash assistance for those affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has already been distributed to 16.7 million beneficiaries under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday.

“Ayon po sa pinakahuli naming datos kahapon, umabot na sa P94.3 billion ang naipamahagi sa 16.7 million na benepisyaryo ng Social Amelioration Program.  DSWD Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag said in an online press briefing.

(According to the latest data as of yesterday, P94.3 billion has already been distributed to 16.7 million beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program.)

Pamonag added that 1,107 local government units have also already reported “100 percent completion rates” in their respective SAP aid distributions.

Meanwhile, 139 LGUs have submitted complete liquidation reports in the implementation of SAP, and 65 LGUs are almost ready to submit their reports.

Under Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”, a total of P100 billion worth of cash assistance will be provided to 18 million low-income families affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Each qualified family will receive a cash subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000, depending on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates.

Currently, the Philippines is among the countries around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 11,618 active cases, of which 2,251 successfully recovered while 772 have succumbed to the disease.

/MUF