DSWD: 5.1 million beneficiaries receive second tranche of cash aid, so far

MANILA, Philippines — Some 5.1 million beneficiaries have so far received the second tranche of financial assistance from the national government amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported Monday.

  (GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE)

In a televised briefing, DSWD Undersecretary Glen Paje said a total of P32 billion have been distributed to low-income families to help them cope with the effects of the health crisis.

“Ayon po sa pinakahuling datos natin, kahapon, July 26, ay mahigit sa P32.05 billion na po ang naipamahagi ng DSWD sa pamamagitan ng manual at digital [payment],” Paje said.

(Based on our latest data, the DSWD has so far distributed P32.05 billion through manual and digital payment.)

“Nasa mahigit 5.1 million na benepisyaro ng SAP [Social Amelioration Program],” he added, when asked on the number of beneficiaries who have received the second tranche of financial aid.

Under the SAP, each beneficiary will receive between P5,000 to P8,000 cash subsidy for two tranches based on the prevailing minimum wage rates in their respective regions.

Earlier, the DSWD said distribution was encountering delays in some areas due to the validation of the list of beneficiaries.

Over 81,000 duplicate beneficiaries and 52,000 ineligible recipients were discovered upon validation, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said earlier

Some 17 million beneficiaries are expected to receive the second tranche of the financial assistance – including five million who are considered “waitlisted” or those who did not receive aid under the amelioration program’s first tranche.

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