Cash grants for small business workers to be made available through PayMaya

Employees qualified to avail of the government's financial assistance for small business workers will be able to get their cash grants through their PayMaya accounts once disbursements start in May, the company announced over the weekend.

In a statement, PayMaya said beneficiaries should link their upgraded accounts to the online portal of the Social Security System (SSS).

"This is especially convenient and beneficial for employees in small businesses who were unable to work during the enhanced community quarantine period," said PayMaya founder and chief executive officer Orlando Vea.

"More than ever, fast and easy access to funds for their daily necessities becomes critical at this time. We are happy to be part of the government's thrust in using e-Money as a convenient tool for cash distribution," he added.

He was referring to the P51-billion wage subsidy program for some 3.4 million workers employed by some 1.5 million small businesses affected by the COVID-19 health emergency.

Under the program, qualified workers will receive a wage subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000, based on the monthly regional minimum wage.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon from March 17 to April 13. It has been extended until April 30, given the rising number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News