By Mela Lesmoras
Just a day after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Supplemental Amelioration Program for the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal which have been placed under one-week Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday said it has released the program fund amounting to ₱22,915,422,000.
In a statement, the DBM said it has turned over the program’s Special Allotment Release Order and corresponding Notices of Cash Allocation to the Bureau of the Treasury.
Through the local government units, the financial assistance is intended to be given to low-income households. They are entitled to receive ₱1,000 per person but not to exceed P4,000 per family either in cash or in kind.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in his press briefing, said it is now up to the LGUs to expedite the aid distribution.
Consistent with the President’s directive, beneficiaries of earlier Social Amelioration Programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall be prioritized as beneficiaries of this financial assistance. The complete list of beneficiaries shall be posted in conspicuous places in the LGU.
“Whether or not it’s in cash or in kind, so that’s the call of the LGU. Basta ang gustong mangyari ng Presidente, sa lalong mabilis na panahon, makarating ang ayuda (What the President wants to happen is that the aid will be distributed at the soonest time possible),” he stressed.
On Monday, no less than President Duterte assured the public, especially those who are currently affected by the strict community quarantine, that the government will help them in any way possible.
“Iyong mga nadiskaril sa finances nila, na-ano kayo sa pera. Naghirap kayo kasi walang — hindi makalabas. Magdasal lang kayo. We will give you the ayuda. Ayuda is assistance, help (Those whose finances have been derailed, [lost] money. You are having a hard time because you cannot go out. Just pray. We will give you aid. Aid is assistance, help),” the chief executive assured.
