The Muntinlupa City government has already released P128.286 million of the national government’s “ayuda,” or financial assistance, to qualified beneficiaries in three days.
Muntinlupa started the payout last Aug. 11 and as of Aug. 13, it has distributed P128.286 million, or equivalent to 128,286 beneficiaries, using the mobile wallet app GCash. This is 29 percent of the total fund of P442.191 million.
The national government transferred an additional P582,000 to Muntinlupa to bring the total fund for the financial assistance to P442.191 million from the original allotment of P441.6 million.
This is the first time that the Muntinlupa City government is using GCash as a mode of “ayuda” distribution. Beneficiaries need to register their GCash accounts and these will be verified and processed before the funds are released to them.
Muntinlupa partnered with GCash for a contactless mode of distribution to ensure the residents’ safety from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in effect in Metro Manila until Aug. 20.
Based on government guidelines, “ayuda” beneficiaries are to receive P1,000 per person and up to a maximum of P4,000 per family.
“Ayuda” recipients can cash out the money in their GCash accounts at BancNet or Mastercard affiliated automatic teller machines (ATM) if they have the GCash Mastercard. They can also cash out at GCash partner outlets including Villarica Pawnshop, Puregold, Robinsons Department Store, Posible outlets, SM, Tambunting and TrueMoney.
The Muntinlupa City government earlier said beneficiaries may use the GCash verified accounts of their family members as long as they are declared as official dependents in their previous registration.
It is eyeing to conduct a manual payout scheme for those who are unable to claim their financial assistance via GCash.