INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday announced it would release inflation ‘ayuda’ (aid) to 7.5 million Filipinos, with each beneficiary receiving a P500 cash transfer.
This comes after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved a special allotment release order of P7.6 billion for the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program.
“DSWD is now ready to facilitate the [P500 cash] transfers to assist around 7.5 million beneficiaries in coping with the continuing effects of high inflation,” the department said in a statement.
DSWD had previously said it was targeting around 9.3 million Filipinos, hoping to distribute P500 aid per month.
The number of beneficiaries announced today (7.5 million) is 1.8 million less than the 9.3 million the department had targeted.
When asked about this, DSWD spokesperson Romel Lopez said there was still a chance to cover the remaining target.
“As long as may available budget po, may chance pa ma-cover pa yung [1.8 million]. Regarding funding, the DBM and [Department of Finance] are in a better position to answer that. We are just an implementing body,” he said in a message.
(As long as there is an available budget, there is a chance to cover the 1.8 million. Regarding the funding, the DBM and the Department of Finance are in a better position to answer that. We are just an implementing body.)
READ: DSWD: Still no funds for ‘inflation ayuda’
When asked if there are remaining funds available for the TCT, the DBM said the funds have all been released.
“We have recomputed the TCT fund requirements based on the recalibrated number of targeted beneficiaries for the two-month period amounting to P7,684,844,351.07,” the DBM said.
Asked who recalibrated the target beneficiaries, the DBM said it was the implementing agency.
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