DSWD to provide food packs, extend emergency cash assistance
Published Mar 17, 2020 12:00 am
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Social Welfare and Develppment (DSWD) will not only extend family food packs, but also cash emergency assistance to the marginalized and poor communities following the government's imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in mainland Luzon.
Department of Social Welfare and Development
(MANILA BULLETIN) DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said the budget for the cash emergency assistance will be requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). "May isa rin po kaming konsepto, 'yung emergency cash assistance. Ang mangyayari po dito na ang food packs magsasawa ang ating kababayan. Itong budget na ito ay irerequest pa sa DBM. Pag nabigyan ng immediate cash assistance ang ating kababayan, kung may access sila sa mga tindahan ay puede nilang gamitin ang emergency cash assistance," he said in a radio interview. (We have another concept, the emergency cash assistance. Because, at some point, our compatriots will get weary of the food packs. The budget for this will be requested from the DBM. If the immediate cash assistance will be granted to them, if they have access to stores, they can use this. President Duterte on Monday night directed the DSWD, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), to extend food aid to the marginalized communities. Bautista assured the public that the government has enough funds to sustain the distribution of food packs in Metro Manila and in other areas in Luzon. He said the DSWD Central Office has standby quick response fund (QRF) amounting to more than P1.3 billion, which can be tapped, as well as the LGUs's QRFs. "Inassure po ng kalihim ng DBM na kung sakaling maubos ang QRF ay immediately magrequest agad para hind maubos ito, para hindi kami maubusan ng pera sa pagbili ng raw materials para dun sa family food packs," he said. "The DBM Secretary has assured that once the QRF runs out, we can immediately request so that it will be replenished so we don't run out of money to purchase raw materials for the family food packs.) He said the National Capital Region (NCR) will be prioritized in the distribution of food packs, considering the rising number of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases in Metro Manila. "Our field offices in the provinces, they have stockpiles of family food packs. Aside from the stockpiles, they continuously pack food items," he added. Bautista noted that the LGUs will determine the distribution points. “We will take the cue from LGUs," he said, citing that close coordination is needed to "avoid duplication" in the distribution of food aid. Bautista said they will coordinate with business tycoon Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp. who earlier committed to provide food aid for six months. He said he expects in the coming days that more businessmen will make commitments to provide assistance to the poor communities.
Department of Social Welfare and Development(MANILA BULLETIN) DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said the budget for the cash emergency assistance will be requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). "May isa rin po kaming konsepto, 'yung emergency cash assistance. Ang mangyayari po dito na ang food packs magsasawa ang ating kababayan. Itong budget na ito ay irerequest pa sa DBM. Pag nabigyan ng immediate cash assistance ang ating kababayan, kung may access sila sa mga tindahan ay puede nilang gamitin ang emergency cash assistance," he said in a radio interview. (We have another concept, the emergency cash assistance. Because, at some point, our compatriots will get weary of the food packs. The budget for this will be requested from the DBM. If the immediate cash assistance will be granted to them, if they have access to stores, they can use this. President Duterte on Monday night directed the DSWD, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), to extend food aid to the marginalized communities. Bautista assured the public that the government has enough funds to sustain the distribution of food packs in Metro Manila and in other areas in Luzon. He said the DSWD Central Office has standby quick response fund (QRF) amounting to more than P1.3 billion, which can be tapped, as well as the LGUs's QRFs. "Inassure po ng kalihim ng DBM na kung sakaling maubos ang QRF ay immediately magrequest agad para hind maubos ito, para hindi kami maubusan ng pera sa pagbili ng raw materials para dun sa family food packs," he said. "The DBM Secretary has assured that once the QRF runs out, we can immediately request so that it will be replenished so we don't run out of money to purchase raw materials for the family food packs.) He said the National Capital Region (NCR) will be prioritized in the distribution of food packs, considering the rising number of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases in Metro Manila. "Our field offices in the provinces, they have stockpiles of family food packs. Aside from the stockpiles, they continuously pack food items," he added. Bautista noted that the LGUs will determine the distribution points. “We will take the cue from LGUs," he said, citing that close coordination is needed to "avoid duplication" in the distribution of food aid. Bautista said they will coordinate with business tycoon Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp. who earlier committed to provide food aid for six months. He said he expects in the coming days that more businessmen will make commitments to provide assistance to the poor communities.