By CHINO S. LEYCO
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday that it already released P100 billion to cover the first month requirements of the national government’s social amelioration program.
In a statement, DBM said that the amelioration funds were remitted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pursuant to Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” law.
DBM said the ₱100 billion budget, or half of the ₱200 billion social amelioration allocation, aims to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on people whose livelihoods were affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The released amount shall be used for the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations and shall be extended to the target low-income household beneficiaries in the form of cash,” DBM said.
The agency also assured the initial funding release, which is expected to benefit almost 18 million Filipino households, will be augmented once it is “liquidated and/ or reported” to be not enough.
“The released amount is expected to cover the first month requirements of the social amelioration program,” the department said.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, meanwhile, said the fund is targeted to be distributed immediately to about 80 percent of Filipinos identified to be the most vulnerable to the economic shocks of the COVID-19 situation.