DSWD releases guide on aid for 18 million low-income households
Published Mar 31, 2020 07:54 am
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday, March 31, issued a guide on how the 18 million low-income households will avail of the government's social amelioration package.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (MANILA BULLETIN)
The issuance of the four-step guide was made after President Duterte announced in his televised speech last Monday, March 31, that his government is launching the "largest and widest" social protection program that would benefit the low-income households and those belonging to the informal sector.
"Ang lokal na pamahalaan ay mamahagi ng Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms sa kanilang nasasakupan. Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa bawat kabahayan o "house to house basis," the DSWD said in its Facebook post.
(The local government units (LGUs) will distribute Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms in their respective areas. This will be done on a "house to house basis.”)
DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said they are in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs) for the immediate roll-out of the Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP).
"We have started our coordination with LGUs already," she told the DSWD reporters in a Viber message.
The DSWD advised the head of the household to fill up the one-page SAC form with the required information, including personal information, monthly income, nature of work, and workplace, among others. They will be asked if he or she is a beneficiary of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
"Siguraduhin na kumpleto ang impormasyon na iniligay sa form. Isumite ang form sa kinatawan ng lokal na pamahalaan na babalik sa inyong bahay," the DSWD said.
(Make sure that all complete information will be supplied in the form. Submit the form to the representative of the local government who will return to your house.)
The DSWD noted that the SAC form will serve as a "validation tool" that will determine who should qualify to receive the cash subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 as provided under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
It will also serve as a monitoring tool to avoid duplication of delivery of services," it added.
"Ang lahat po ay nilalayon naming makatanggap ng Social Amelioration Program subalit ang pamamahagi po ay naayon sa lebel ng pangangailangan. Kung kaya't ang inyo pong kooperasyon, pagbibigayan at pang-unawa ay higit na kinakailangan," it said.
(We wish that all will benefit from the Social Amelioration Program, but the distribution will depend on the level of needs. That's why we ask for your cooperation, consideration, and understanding.)
The DSWD said the social amelioration package will be extended by the Department and other agencies to the low-income households through the LGUs.
Signed by President Duterte last week, RA 11469 mandates that each low-income household shall receive an emergency subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 per month for two months, "in cash or in kind" from various national government agencies. President Duterte earlier said P200 billion has been allocated for such purpose.
The DSWD maintained that it is the LGUs' responsibility to prepare and endorse the list of the target beneficiaries with the complete documentary requirements to the concerned DSWD Field Office for verification.
“The Emergency Subsidy Program includes the DSWD's provision of food and non-food items (FNFI) and financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) as well as those provided by other agencies, provided that the benefits received by each household does not exceed the prescribed threshold per region," the DSWD said in a statement issued on Sunday, March 29.
The amount to be received by the vulnerable sectors during this time of COVID-19 pandemic is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region's minimum wage levels.
Low-income households in the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive the maximum subsidy of P8,000 under the Duterte government's ESP, while those poor families in at least seven regions will receive the minimum subsidy of P5,000.
According to the ESP schedule provided by Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the low-income households in the NCR will be given P8,000 emergency subsidy.
A cash subsidy amounting to P6,500 will be extended to two regions—Region III (Central Luzon) and Region IV-A (Calabarzon). Low-income households in Region VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), X (Northern Mindanao), and XI (Davao) will get P6,000 emergency subsidy from the government. Expected to receive P5,500 cash subsidy are poor households in three regions—Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region I (Ilocos) and Region II (Cagayan Valley). Based on the ESP schedule, the minimum subsidy of P5,000 will be given to seven regions—Region IV-B (Mimaropa), Region V (Bicol). Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), XII (Soccksargen), Caraga Administrative Region, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The DSWD said the existing list of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program will be used to validate the list submitted by LGUs. It reassured the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that they will also be supported with a top-up on their grants and rice subsidy to reach the maximum benefit per region."4Ps beneficiaries are most vulnerable to economic, social and physical shocks such as this health crisis, thus, the need to augment their existing grants to help them with their daily needs," it said.
As of January 31, 2020, there are more than 4.2 million "active" 4Ps beneficiaries. The DSWD said it will also provide Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) to beneficiary families of its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), provided that at least one family member works in the informal sector and is displaced, following the government's imposition of the community quarantine. "The family must be in the master list endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD Field Office (FO) and must still undergo assessment by a DSWD staff," it said.
"The LAG will be given after the quarantine period has been lifted to help the families start anew," it added. The social amelioration measures are contained in the Joint Memorandum Circular forged by DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Last week, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force has approved the social amelioration package benefitting the 18 million low-income households.
"The social amelioration measures will help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis and the enhanced community quarantine to the target beneficiaries, particularly the senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant and lactating mothers, solo parents, overseas Filipinos in distress, indigent Indigenous Peoples, homeless citizens, and the informal economy workers," the DSWD said.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (MANILA BULLETIN)
The issuance of the four-step guide was made after President Duterte announced in his televised speech last Monday, March 31, that his government is launching the "largest and widest" social protection program that would benefit the low-income households and those belonging to the informal sector.
"Ang lokal na pamahalaan ay mamahagi ng Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms sa kanilang nasasakupan. Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa bawat kabahayan o "house to house basis," the DSWD said in its Facebook post.
(The local government units (LGUs) will distribute Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms in their respective areas. This will be done on a "house to house basis.”)
DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said they are in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs) for the immediate roll-out of the Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP).
"We have started our coordination with LGUs already," she told the DSWD reporters in a Viber message.
The DSWD advised the head of the household to fill up the one-page SAC form with the required information, including personal information, monthly income, nature of work, and workplace, among others. They will be asked if he or she is a beneficiary of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
"Siguraduhin na kumpleto ang impormasyon na iniligay sa form. Isumite ang form sa kinatawan ng lokal na pamahalaan na babalik sa inyong bahay," the DSWD said.
(Make sure that all complete information will be supplied in the form. Submit the form to the representative of the local government who will return to your house.)
The DSWD noted that the SAC form will serve as a "validation tool" that will determine who should qualify to receive the cash subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 as provided under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
It will also serve as a monitoring tool to avoid duplication of delivery of services," it added.
"Ang lahat po ay nilalayon naming makatanggap ng Social Amelioration Program subalit ang pamamahagi po ay naayon sa lebel ng pangangailangan. Kung kaya't ang inyo pong kooperasyon, pagbibigayan at pang-unawa ay higit na kinakailangan," it said.
(We wish that all will benefit from the Social Amelioration Program, but the distribution will depend on the level of needs. That's why we ask for your cooperation, consideration, and understanding.)
The DSWD said the social amelioration package will be extended by the Department and other agencies to the low-income households through the LGUs.
Signed by President Duterte last week, RA 11469 mandates that each low-income household shall receive an emergency subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 per month for two months, "in cash or in kind" from various national government agencies. President Duterte earlier said P200 billion has been allocated for such purpose.
The DSWD maintained that it is the LGUs' responsibility to prepare and endorse the list of the target beneficiaries with the complete documentary requirements to the concerned DSWD Field Office for verification.
“The Emergency Subsidy Program includes the DSWD's provision of food and non-food items (FNFI) and financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) as well as those provided by other agencies, provided that the benefits received by each household does not exceed the prescribed threshold per region," the DSWD said in a statement issued on Sunday, March 29.
The amount to be received by the vulnerable sectors during this time of COVID-19 pandemic is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region's minimum wage levels.
Low-income households in the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive the maximum subsidy of P8,000 under the Duterte government's ESP, while those poor families in at least seven regions will receive the minimum subsidy of P5,000.
According to the ESP schedule provided by Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the low-income households in the NCR will be given P8,000 emergency subsidy.
A cash subsidy amounting to P6,500 will be extended to two regions—Region III (Central Luzon) and Region IV-A (Calabarzon). Low-income households in Region VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), X (Northern Mindanao), and XI (Davao) will get P6,000 emergency subsidy from the government. Expected to receive P5,500 cash subsidy are poor households in three regions—Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region I (Ilocos) and Region II (Cagayan Valley). Based on the ESP schedule, the minimum subsidy of P5,000 will be given to seven regions—Region IV-B (Mimaropa), Region V (Bicol). Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), XII (Soccksargen), Caraga Administrative Region, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The DSWD said the existing list of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program will be used to validate the list submitted by LGUs. It reassured the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that they will also be supported with a top-up on their grants and rice subsidy to reach the maximum benefit per region."4Ps beneficiaries are most vulnerable to economic, social and physical shocks such as this health crisis, thus, the need to augment their existing grants to help them with their daily needs," it said.
As of January 31, 2020, there are more than 4.2 million "active" 4Ps beneficiaries. The DSWD said it will also provide Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) to beneficiary families of its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), provided that at least one family member works in the informal sector and is displaced, following the government's imposition of the community quarantine. "The family must be in the master list endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD Field Office (FO) and must still undergo assessment by a DSWD staff," it said.
"The LAG will be given after the quarantine period has been lifted to help the families start anew," it added. The social amelioration measures are contained in the Joint Memorandum Circular forged by DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Last week, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force has approved the social amelioration package benefitting the 18 million low-income households.
"The social amelioration measures will help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis and the enhanced community quarantine to the target beneficiaries, particularly the senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant and lactating mothers, solo parents, overseas Filipinos in distress, indigent Indigenous Peoples, homeless citizens, and the informal economy workers," the DSWD said.