Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has shared the breakdown of cash subsidies to be received by around 18 million low-income households in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Based on the breakdown, beneficiaries from the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive the highest amount at Php 8,000, while those in Regions 3 and 4A will receive an amount of Php 6,500. Other regions will receive around Php 5,000 to Php 6,000
The emergency subsidy is under Section 4C of Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which states that beneficiaries are expected to receive Php 5,000 to Php 8,000 each.
Salceda explained the basis for the amount is the regional minimum wage.
“Unang-una, kasi siyemre based po ‘yan sa need. Ngayon ang mga pamilihin o ‘yung mga basic needs naman dito sa Metro Manila- dahil hindi tayo nagtatanim ng sarili nating mga gulay, hindi tayo nagtatanim ng sarili nating bigas- ay siempre, mas mataas po ang presyo. Usually po mas mataas ang presyo sa Metro Manila kaysa sa ibang region (First of all, it’s based on the need. Since we do not plant our own vegetables and rice in Metro Manila, the prices of goods and basic needs are usually higher in Metro Manila than in other regions),” Salceda said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has earlier assured the distribution of emergency subsidies with the help of the local government units.
In the process, social amelioration cards will be needed as shown by House Speaker Alan Cayetano in a Facebook live. The DSWD will distribute the cards to the LGUs, which in turn, will farm it out to barangay officials who will hand them over to beneficiaries.
“Lahat ng bahay ay required na bigyan ‘yan. If there are three households in one house, tatlong form ang dapat bigyan nila (All houses are required to be given cards. If there are three households in one house, they must be given three forms),” Cayetano clarified. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
