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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Release COVID-19 subsidy to poor families now – Villanueva

Release COVID-19 subsidy to poor families now – Villanueva

Published Apr 3, 2020 12:00 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola  The emergency subsidy for poor families displaced by the enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic should not be delayed by government bureaucracy, Senator Joel Villanueva said on Friday. Senator Joel Villanueva gestures during the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development hearing on the deaths of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), February 21,2018.(Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN) Senator Joel Villanueva (CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Villanueva issued this statement as he appealed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to quickly process the distribution of the P200-billion aid to 18 million informal sector families. Recently, the DSWD started distributing social amelioration cards for families to fill out. These will be the basis for the distribution of the cash assistance to beneficiaries as mandated under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. “I understand that they are asking for individuals requesting assistance to fill out the social amelioration cards. What is not clear to me is the process of reviewing this 'application forms',” Villanueva said in a text message to reporters. “I understand that we need a vetting mechanism to make sure we assist the underserved but we have to make sure we do this quickly and not get bogged down by bureaucratic inefficiency, that’s my only concern,” he added. The senator admitted being “confused” with the DSWD's system of distribution, saying that he has been hearing complaints from various local government units. He said the aid should reach the low-income households "as soon as possible". "My bottom line is to make sure that these are processed quickly. It has been weeks since we started quarantine. We expect a significant number of individuals to need assistance," he added. Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, 18 million informal sector families shall receive aid amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for two months, depending on the current prevailing minimum wage rate in their regions. The DSWD has reportedly begun distributing the cash subsidy to communities in Tondo, Manila, and Parañaque City. The budget department has so far released P100 billion of the P200 billion budget for the social amelioration program.
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