DSWD sees faster, more efficient payout of 2nd tranche cash subsidy

The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the public on Saturday that the distribution of the second tranche of cash aid for qualified beneficiaries will be faster and more efficient with the digital payout system.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, DSWD spokesperson Director Irene Dumlao said that the agency has already established ties with financial service providers for the payout process, which is contactless and fast.

According to her, the money will be coursed directly to the beneficiaries' accounts or to payment centers.

Asked how the payments would be done for those in remote or geographically isolated areas unreachable by the services of financial providers, Dumlao said the payout would be done through the "big-venue" system, and house-to-house for families whose head of the family is a senior citizen and has difficulty going to the big-venue.

Moreover, she said that the DSWD is in close coordination with the police and the military, and local government officials for the distribution effort.

As to the problem of duplication of beneficiaries, Dumalo said de-duplication efforts are being undertaken, and that the agency is in close coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Social Security System (SSS), the local government units, and other related agencies to match and verify the list of the beneficiaries.

Likewise, she said that beneficiaries who received cash from the first tranche and those who are wait-listed are included as recipients in the second tranche payout provided they are in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Earlier, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said that with the signing of the “multilateral agreement” with financial service providers and partners, it would be reasonable to expect “faster and more efficient” distribution of cash aid for 17 million recipients of the Social Amelioration Program 2 cash subsidy. —LBG, GMA News