5.1M families get P32-B cash aid

MANILA, Philippines — Over 5.1 million low-income families have received P32 billion in cash aid from the second tranche of the social amelioration program to help them during the coronavirus pandemic.

Social welfare Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had distributed P32.05 billion both manually and digitally to poor families.

Paje said the beneficiaries include 1.3 million families under the 4Ps program, 2.4 million non-4Ps families and 1.2 million beneficiaries who were waitlisted during the first tranche.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, the DSWD undersecretary said 37,000 drivers of ride-sharing and public utility vehicles had also benefited from the second tranche.

Ineligible recipients

Previously, the DSWD admitted that the distribution of the cash aid was delayed due to the validation of the list of beneficiaries.

Around 17 million are expected to receive the second tranche of the social amelioration funds, including five million “wait-listed” beneficiaries.

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista earlier said over 81,000 duplicate beneficiaries and 52,000 ineligible recipients were identified upon validation of the list.

Malacañang said it expected the DSWD to finish the distribution of the second tranche by the end of the month through manual and digital payments to beneficiaries.

Paje said 1,591 out of 1,634 local government units, or 97 percent, have submitted their complete or full liquidation reports of the funds distributed during the first tranche.

He added that over 300 local officials have been charged due to irregularities in the distribution of the financial assistance for those badly affected by the pandemic.