Gov’t adds 5 million more beneficiaries of emergency cash aid for poor —Roque

The government is adding five million more beneficiaries of the first tranche of the social amelioration program, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday.

“Hindi lang 18 million ang makikinabang, dadagdagan natin ng five million,” Roque said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

“Eighteen million plus five million ang mabibigyan ng first tranche ng ayuda,” he said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government extended the deadline for the distribution of the first tranche of the COVID-19 emergency subsidy program in selected areas.

Several local government leaders previously said they had been caught in a muddle because their respective databases show that more of their constituents are in need of cash aid compared to the national government's estimated 18 million families.

2015 data

Roque explained adding more beneficiaries is the government’s way of asking for the public’s understanding when it initially intended to give cash aid to 18 million beneficiaries, which was based on a 2015 census data.

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act 11469, around 18 million low-income households belonging to the informal sector should be targeted to receive monthly emergency subsidies amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for two months.

The assistance shall be "computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wages rates."

“Ito po ay patunay na tumutupad sa pangako ang Presidente na lahat ng nangangailangan ay bibigyan,” Roque said.

As for the second tranche, the Palace official said the recommendation is still up for the President’s approval.

“Hahayaan na po natin kay Presidente ang desisyon sa second tranche,” Roque. -MDM, GMA News