With a P19.9 billion unutilized budget, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun preparations for the distribution of food packs for beneficiaries when there are COVID 19-triggered granular lockdowns in their areas.
Appearing before the House of Representatives Appropriations committee, DSWD Director Emmanuel Privado said the initial estimate on the cost of food packs was P600 to P650 per food pack ‘’but the latest engagement (bidding)’’ showed that it would cost P774.
Privado said the food would consist of four cans of tuna, four cans of corned beef, six kilos of rice, six pieces of coffee, five packs of drinks and two pieces of sardines.
He said this is good for a family of five for three days and if there would be lockdowns for seven days, three food packs per family would be distributed.
Deputy Minority Floor Leader Stella Quimbo asked the DSWD to do the math for 500,000 families to be given food packs under a granular lockdown regime.
Extrapolating, Quimbo said the balance of the P19.9 billion unutilized DSWD budget would be pared down to P15.9 billion by the end of 2021.
She asked the DSWD to accelerate the disbursement of DSWD’s under utilized funds.
One strategy, according to Quimbo, is the giving of ‘’ayudas’’ (assistance) to households to be hit by granular lockdowns.
Aside from food packs, Quimbo strongly suggested that cash assistance should also be given.
DSWD chief Rolando Bautista told Representative Joselyn S. Limkaichong, committee presiding officer, that the DSWD has no ‘’ayudas’’ under Bayanihan 1 and Bayanihan 2 but has social protective programs.
===30-==