"Ayuda" or assistance is forthcoming.
The government is set to implement a P22.9-billion supplemental amelioration program (SAP) to help millions of people cope with the weeklong strict lockdown imposed in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, or the so-called National Capital Region (NCR)-Plus Bubble.
An estimated 22.9 million people representing 80 percent of the low-income population of the capital region and four nearby provinces are expected to benefit from the latest program approved by President Duterte.
Under the program, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said the government would set aside P1,000-worth of assistance per person, but not more than P4,000 per family. He said the funds would be directly released to the concerned local government unit for distribution to affected individuals "in-kind."
"Once you have approved it, will be released to the LGUs for distribution to affected individuals in kind --- in-kind po, Mr. President --- to ensure that food and other non-food requirements are adequately provided,” Avisado said during a meeting with the President and other officials Monday night.
"So wala po tayong cash po dito po (We don't have any cash here). We will leave it to the local government units dahil sila naman talaga ang first line of pinupuntahan ng mga tao na sila po ang mag-allocate nito base po doon sa approval ninyo na at least 1,000 pesos per person (because they are the first line approached by the people to allocate the resources based on the approval of at least P1,000 per person)," he said.
The President directed authorities to ensure the swift aid distribution of the aid by April. He was seen signing the aid program towards the end of the meeting with officials Monday night.
"Aabot ‘yan mga by April --- first week of April, kaya? (That can be delivered by first week of April. can you do it?)" Duterte asked Avisado.
The budget chief said the funds would be released as soon as he approved the program.
In NCR, the government will allocate P11. 2 billion to assist 11.2 million people low-income earners.
At least P3 billion will be spent for the 3 million living in Bulacan, while P3.4 billion for 3.4 million in Cavite. Another P2.7 billion will be set aside for the 2.7 million low-income earners in Laguna and P2.6 billion for the 2.6 million in Rizal.
Avisado said the funds would be sourced from the government's unutilized resources.
When the President asked to ensure that the assistance will reach intended beneficiaries, Avisado said local officials will be required to list the beneficiaries and submit a fund disbursement report. These reports will also be scrutinized by the Commission on Audit (COA).
"Ang mga LGUs talaga po ang kailangan kumilos dito at siguruhin nila na maibibigay nila. Kung hindi, mananagot po talaga sila, ang mga mayors natin lalo pa dahil sa kanila po nakasalalay ang madaliang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa kanilang mga nasasakupan, Mr. President (The LGUs must really act and ensure they will give the aid. If not, the mayors will be held liable because they are responsible for the swift distribution of aid to their constituents)," the budget chief told the President.
The President also reminded the mayors to use the list of beneficiaries first utilized during the aid distribution under Bayanihan 1 law. He said he would "concede good faith" on mayors but reminded them about some officials who were in trouble for irregularities in the aid distribution last time.