DSWD starts distribution of P5K-P8K aid in NCR, 16 regions

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday said distribution of the two-time cash assistance to the low-income households affected by coronavirus disease (Covid-19) went full blast in 17 regions including the National Capital Region (NCR).

The DSWD started the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) Bayanihan Fund: Tulong Laban sa Covid-19 worth PHP5,000 to PHP8,000, based on regional minimum wage rate in some areas in the NCR on April 3.

In Pasay City, the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) personnel, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), initially distributed PHP8,000 cash assistance each to some 161 members of the Tricycle Operators’ and Drivers’ Association (TODA) Federation. The TODA has 3,981 members.

The emergency subsidies were also distributed for 185,680 and 77,674 target beneficiaries of Manila and Parañaque, respectively.

Likewise, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) cash card holders in NCR, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, BARMM, Regions 1, 2, and 3 were able to withdraw their emergency subsidies on April 3.

On the other hand, beneficiaries from Regions 4-B, 5, 6, 7 and 9 received their subsidies on April 4 while 4Ps recipients in Regions 8, 10, 11, 12, and Caraga also received their emergency subsidy on Sunday.

The DSWD will be distributing the SAP in outright cash over a period of two months this April and May. It will employ different modes of payment applicable to the situation that will ensure expeditious benefit distribution.

Based on the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, the distribution of the cash assistance will be under the full control and supervision of DSWD.

The DSWD may seek the assistance of local government units (LGUs) together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the distribution of cash assistance through monitoring based on existing strategies to ensure that the SAP fund will go to the rightful beneficiaries.

Target beneficiaries of the SAP are low-income families or those on subsistence economy or workers in the informal economy, and with members belonging to the vulnerable sector, assessed to be the most affected by the enhanced community quarantine given their existing life situations.

The DSWD emphasized that the government wants to help all families affected by the crisis to receive the SAP but priority will be given to the poor and those at risk of not earning income during this quarantine period.

The department assured that the qualified SAP beneficiaries will get their cash assistance during this time of public health emergency declared by Duterte due to Covid-19 pandemic.