DSWD exec welcomes House probe on alleged cash aid delay, other assistance

An official from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday welcomed the House probe regarding the alleged delay in the distribution of assistance of the agency amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Undersecretary Glen Paje said the inquiry on the distribution of the cash aid from the Social Amelioration Program, which will begin next week, would help the agency in improving their ways on handing assistance to affected families of the pandemic.

"Ang move na ito ay isang welcome na activity para sa DSWD dahil ito ay isang opportunity para maipaliwanag natin 'yung side naman natin kung ano man 'yung nais nilang malaman," Paje said.

"Ganon din po, marami din po tayong mapupulot at matututunan dito na mga siguro constructive criticism upang maisama natin ito sa mga lessons learned at maiconvert natin into good practices," he added.

Paje said the distribution of the SAP's second tranche is ongoing such as in Davao, CARAGA, Regions IV-B, V and IX.

He said more or less 17 million families are expected to receive cash subsidies from the program's second tranche. The agency is targeting to finish the distribution by June 25, Paje said.

"Sapagkat 'yung nasabi po sa ating RA 11469 ay tatlong buwan po ang effectivity. Matatapos nga ito sa June 25. Kasalukuyan ay tuloy-tuloy naman po ang pamimigay ng ating second tranche na SAP..." Paje said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday said the distribution of the cash aid began on Wednesday, June 17, in Benguet.

The police and the military were tapped to assist local officials in the distribution of cash aid, especially in conflict affected areas as well as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Under the Social Amelioration Program, low-income families will be given a cash subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 per month for two months to help them cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. — RSJ, GMA News