DSWD: Only 28% of LGUs completed cash aid distribution 51 days into quarantine

Only 459—or 28%—of the 1,589 local government units (LGUs) in the country have completed their payout of social amelioration cash aid for low income families amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Tuesday.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista was referring to the cash aid worth P5,000 to P8,000 granted to low-income families in enhanced community quarantine areas, with the amount depending on the minimum wage per region.

“459 out of the 1,589 LGUs in the country have completed their distribution of amelioration benefit. This translates to P68.2 billion distributed to 12.5 million low-income families and public utility vehicle drivers, including those under ride sharing apps,” Bautista said in a virtual presser.

Under the Bayanihan Law, the amelioration benefit ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 will be granted to low-income families under enhanced community quarantine for the months of April and May, considering that the quarantine bans mass transport and mass gatherings, resulting in work stoppages in many industries, reducing if not taking away the source of income of many workers.

The enhanced community quarantine is expected to be lifted on May 15, but it has been extended already twice, on April 12 and April 30, to give the government more time to establish quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients and ramp up mass testing efforts.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque already announced that the low-income beneficiary families of the cash aid will be increased from 18 million to 23 million for the month of May.

Bautista, however, said that DSWD is still waiting for an Executive Order for the fine print in implementing the said policy.

Given the situation, Bautista appealed for patience since the distribution of the cash grant amid the pandemic—which requires physical distancing—has been marred by delays.

“Iyong iba po kasi, malalayo ang lugar. May island municipalities at barangays, may isolated areas. Mayroon rin pong high-risk areas na nabawasan ang work force ng LGU dahil po mayroon silang personnel na na-infect ng COVID-19 at may mga na-expose po sa roon sa na-infect,” Bautista said.

The DSWD, Bautista said, also had 253 personnel who had to go into quarantine due to exposure to a COVID-19 patient.

“Ginagawan po namin ng paraan, katulong ang LGUs, Armed Forces, and the police, para malampasan ang challenges na ito,” Bautista added. — BM, GMA News