DSWD asks DBM, DOF: Release more funds for P500 monthly aid

The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Wednesday requested for additional funds for its cash aid program, which is intended to ease the financial burden of poor families amid the rising fuel and commodity prices.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Department of Finance (DOF) need to provide more funds because the around P10-billion fund released so far is not enough.

“Yun ang hinihiling din po natin sana sa ating DBM, DOF, sana madagdagan pa yung pondo nang sa ganun maabot yung first tranche and then makapag-proceed na po. Supposed to be nasa second tranche na tayo,” he said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(That’s what we are asking from DBM, DOF, we hope that they add funds so we can cover the first tranche and then proceed to the second tranche. We are supposed to be in the second tranche this time.)

On Tuesday, the DBM said it has approved the release of P4.1 billion to cover the second tranche of the P500 monthly cash aid. According to Lopez, P6.1 billion funds were earlier released in July. —LBG, GMA News