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No formal directive yet from Duterte on cancelling 2nd tranche of cash aid for GCQ areas —DSWD
By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday it is still waiting for a formal written directive from President Rodrigo Duterte on the cancellation of the second tranche of cash subsidy for beneficiaries in areas placed under general community quarantine.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao agreed that the budget allotted for the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) aid, which was split into two tranches, was a commitment to vulnerable Filipinos.
“Tama po kayo. Kung kaya nga po…hinihintay natin ang written directive mula sa Office of the President,” Dumlao said in an interview on GMA’s Unang Hirit.
Dumlao said DSWD should receive the formal directive first to clarify the cancellation of distribution of the other half of the subsidy.
In April, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista assured that low-income families who live in areas where the ECQ will be lifted will continue to receive emergency cash assistance from the government this May.
On Tuesday, however, Malacañang announced that only those who reside in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will receive the second tranche of the cash subsidy.
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The government announced some areas with lower risks for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat will be shifting from ECQ to GCQ after May 15.
“Kami po ay humihingi ng kaunting pang-unawa sa ating mga kababayan na ninanais naman po natin na mabigyan ng ayuda sa panahon nga po ng krisis,” Dumlao said.
“Sa deklarasyon ng GCQ, inaasahan natin na manunumbalik muli ang komersyo…at makakabalik sa trabaho ang ating mga kababayan,” she added.
According to Dumlao, the DSWD is working with the National Economic and Development Authority and other government agencies for the recovery plan for the affected families.
On Tuesday, lawmakers from the House of Representatives called on the government to continue distributing emergency cash subsidies to low-income families living in areas that will soon be placed under GCQ.—AOL, GMA News