Due to the new measures of the enhanced community quarantine or ECQ that spans until the 4th of April, President Rodrigo Duterte approved a measure to provide help and assistance to vulnerable sectors (families and communities) who are part of the vulnerable sector.
In a meeting, President Duterte said that he is approving a supplemental amelioration program to families and communities whose finances have undergone complete disasters.
'Yung mga nadiskaril sa finances nila, 'yung mga naghirap sa pera dahil hindi makalabas, dasal lang kayo. We will give you the ayuda."
Read: Automatic Refund for Bad Internet Services Proposed by Senator Lito Lapid
In Translation: We will give you, the families whose incomes and finances got derailed because you can't attend work. For now, just pray, we will help you.
No Solid Cash
Wendel Avisado, the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), said that the department currently doesn't have cash.
The national government will be giving their fair share of in-kind assistance to those who need it. Meanwhile, they'll leave it to the local government units or LGUs to make it happen.
Read Related: Public School Academic Year Extended – DepEd
Wala po tayong cash dito. We will leave it to the local government units dahil sila po talaga ang first line na pinupuntahan ng mga tao, na sila ang mag-allocate nito."
In Translation: We currently don't have cash. We'll leave it to the LGUs because they really are the first line of response that people from their barangays reach.
As per the Budget Secretary, they'll be releasing around P23 billion to LGUs in the ECQ areas. Furthermore, they said that this'll be for their distribution of goods.
Wala po tayong ginalaw na budget for this year dahil ito po 'yung mga sobra na hindi pa natin nagagamit. Siguruhin nila na maibibigay nila, kung hindi mananagot po talaga sila, ang mga mayors natin. Sa kanila pong nakasalalay ang madaliang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa kanilang mga nasasakupan."
Also Read: The List of Government Cash Assistance Programs For the COVID-19 Crisis
In Translation: We didn't get or use any of the funds from the national budget we had this year. The allocation came from the savings of our national budget. The LGUs, in turn, should guarantee the fund distribution. Else, the mayors and the leaders will be the ones to be held accountable.
List of Beneficiaries
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or the DSWD, they'll be providing the list of beneficiaries of the Emergency Subsidy Program or the ESP.
Moreover, they said that they'll give it to the LGUs for better distribution and dispersion.
In their statement, they said that this particular list is what LGUs can use for the identification of the beneficiaries. This is for them to have a streamlined methodology in determining the households or the families.
Read: Best Salary Loans in the Philippines to Help You With Urgent Financial Needs
The DSWD will provide the list to the LGUs today, at the earliest, to enable them to start the distribution of the aid to the qualified recipients that will be given in cash or in kind depending on the discretion of the LGUs.”
P1,000 Allocation Per Family
Based on computations and calculations, the DBM said that the assistance to vulnerable sectors wouldn't be less than P1,000 per household.
However, it should not exceed or go over the capacity of P4,000. In addition to that, the DSWD also told LGUs to have considerations on the inclusion of beneficiaries such as low-income individuals who belong in other sectors.
With all of these being said and considered, Duterte told Avisado to require LGUs to utilize the same list who received the cash aids under the Bayanihan 1 Law – which explains the list that came from the DSWD.
Read: Pag-IBIG Fund Calamity Loan Program FAQs
They (LGUs) should adopt our list in Bayanihan 1 because that would ensure that the real benefits are given to the real person."
So, for now up to the 4th of April, or until an extension has been announced, the newly imposed ECQ will. have its supreme effects on some communities and families.
This in-kind assistance to vulnerable sectors will be highly effective and efficient. What are your thoughts on this assistance to the vulnerable sectors or communities in our country?
NOTE: A lot of people say that the P1,000 allocation is not enough. But, isn't it a lot better than receiving nothing? Receiving P1,000 is still receiving P1,000, and it should never be taken for granted.
Akin to them, you might also think that this particular fund is not enough. But, it's already a huge chunk of help and assistance. You wouldn't be able to just pick up P1,000 from the streets, right?
Source: Manila Bulletin News | CNN Philippines
Leave a Reply