Second round of cash aid distribution ready by next week – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to distribute the second round of cash assistance to low-income families by next week, Malacañang said Tuesday.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista already made the assurance to him, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during an online briefing.

“Kausap ko kanina lang sa Clark si Secretary Bautista at sabi nga nya sa akin, by next week ay ready na silang magdistribute,” Roque said.

(I talked to Secretary Bautista earlier at Clark and he said that they are ready to distribute by next week.)

“It will take them two days to distribute electronically and the rest, with the assistance of the armed forces. So tuloy na tuloy po yan,” he assured.

Roque said Monday the second round of the government’s cash assistance will proceed even if the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act expires this month.

Under the law, some 18 million families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be given cash aid of P5,000 to 8,000 for the months of April and May.

The DSWD said it is ready to distribute the second tranche, but the validation of the first round should be completed first.

The agency said it will utilize an application called ReliefAgad to hasten the distribution of the cash aid. Through the app, beneficiaries may select how they would like to receive their subsidies.

Both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will help local government units (LGUs) in distributing the aid in far-flung areas.