COVID-19 cash aid distribution extended — Año

The government has granted an extension for the distribution of the first tranche of the COVID-19 emergency subsidy program in selected areas such as Metro Manila and other urban centers.

In a televised briefing on Thursday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said a seven-day extension will be implemented in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Cebu City and Davao City.

Other local government units with payout problems will have a four-day extension to complete the distribution of the first tranche. The deadline for the distribution of the first tranche is on Thursday as the government planned to file charges against local officials who failed to complete the task.

“Pinag-aralan namin ni [Social Welfare] Secretary Rolly Bautista iyong situation ng Metro Manila at iba pang mga lugar na may high density population ng mga urban poor families,” Año said.

“At nakita namin na valid naman iyong kanilang reasons kasi kaya naman nilang i-distribute iyan talaga sa takdang oras, pero maba-violate iyong physical at social distancing so, balewala din iyon, na-defeat din natin iyong purpose na huwag mag-spread iyong virus.”

All Metro Manila mayors earlier asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to extend the deadline to give local government units ample time to validate the list of beneficiaries.

Año urged LGUs to speed up the liquidation of the released funds for the first tranche to prevent delays in the roll out of the second tranche.

“They have to liquidate immediately para mai-prepare iyong second tranche, kahit mag-partial liquidation para tuluy-tuloy,” he said.

“Kapag once ma-full liquidation na sila ay may basis na ngayon iyong ating DSWD para ilabas iyong kanilang second tranche. Of course may validation silang gagawin doon sa liquidation.”

Under the guidelines of the social amelioration program, the LGUs are required to submit to the DSWD a liquidation report within 15 working days from the completion of the distribution.

Around 18 million low-income households and those in the informal sector will be targeted to receive monthly cash subsidies amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for two months as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469).

As of April 29, the DSWD said the cash aid had been distributed to 9.4 million beneficiaries. — RSJ, GMA News