DSWD: P76.5 billion released to over 1,300 LGUs for Social Amelioration Program

More than P76 billion have already been released to thousands of local government units nationwide for the emergency cash subsidy intended for around 18 million poor Filipino families, according to the Department of the Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday.

"As of April 21, kagabi, ang DSWD ay nakapagbahagi na po ng mahigit P76.5 billion na pondo sa mahigit 1,300 na lokal na pamahalaan sa buong bansa," DSWD spokesperson Director Irene Dumlao said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

"Sa pangkalahatan po, umabot na sa mahigit P25.45 billion ang naipahatid sa mahigit 5.3 milyong benepisyaryo ng Social Amelioration Program," she added.

Dumlao explained that of this number, P9.1 billion has been released to 1.6 million families who are not included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); P16.3 billion has been deposited in the cash cards of 3.7 million 4Ps beneficiaries; and P322 million has been given to public utility drivers in Metro Manila.

On Tuesday, independent think tank IBON Foundation said that around 13.6 million low-income Filipino families are on the verge of starving due to the delayed distribution of the government's emergency cash assistance, more than a month after the enhanced community quarantine disrupted their livelihoods.

More families are expected to receive the P5,000 to P8,000 cash assistance in the coming days as payouts at the local government level are ongoing, Dumlao said.

She also reminded local leaders that the fixed amount intended for each family in their respective regions should not be reduced.

"Itong halagang ito is a close approximation para ma-sustain ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng isang pamilya para sa isang buwan. Hindi po natin ito dapat hatiin dahil nakasaad po sa mga umiiral na panuntunan na itong halagang ito, para doon sa ating pamilyang benepisyaryo," she said.

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, around 18 million low-income families in the country should receive emergency cash subsidies for two months amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis.

National government leaders estimated that P200 billion would be needed for this Social Amelioration Program.

The Department of Budget and Management said it has released P100 billion to the DSWD as of April 2 for the Social Amelioration Program. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News