Overview
As of Apri 15, 2020 The confirmed positive patient of COVID-19 is at 5,453. Furthermore, the number of patients continues to rise day by day as more Filipinos are getting tests. The National and local governments in the Philippines other sectors unite to help COVID-19 Cash Aid Program.
Enhance Community Quarantine started on March 16, 2020, which was later extended until April 30, 2020. PRRD placed Luzon on ECQ. The economic team of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Proclamation 929 rolls out a P27.1 billion relief package to counter the impact of COVID-19. This is to support the health workers on their medical needs. Also, to provide financial assistance and relief to the community under ECQ.
Cash Aid Program
On March 25, 2020, PRRD signed Republic Act (R.A.) 11469 or The Bayanihan to Heal as One-Act. The president will have additional power to handle the pandemic in 3 months. This Republic Act gives PRRD an authority to reallocate and realign the budget for about P275 billion or $5.37 billion from the P438 billion or $ 8.55 billion of the P4.1 trillion National Budget for 2020 amidst to the COVID-19.
On April 6, PRRD Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to do what he can to raise more cash. Even telling in jest to steal money if he had to. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that the government’s economic managers and the central bank have put monetary action plan to provide cash aid during the COVID-19.
“We want to assure all our citizens na at this point in time, we have the money. Although, we have to realize na hindi naman endless ‘yung pera na ito. So, kailangan, we have to spend it correctly. Hindi ‘yung for wasteful expenditures.
The program is to spend, first, to help the poorest families; and then to help the small and medium enterprises; and then to provide support for the companies that are supported by their banks,” Secretary Dominguez said.
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Social Amelioration Program
₱100 billion transferred to the DSWD and Development for the first tranche of the state’s two-month cash aid for 18 million poor families. The gov’t expects that the program will give ₱5000- ₱8000 for families living in Metro Manila. Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) starts to distribute to families that are listed under the long-running Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for the poorest of the poor. The first 161 members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) Federation of Pasay are the first batch to receive the cash aid program.
The rates are based on the regional minimum wage rate, and initially targeted beneficiaries in some areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) as part of the government’s “Social Amelioration Program (SAP) Bayanihan Fund: Tulong Laban sa COVID-19. The Cash aid program will run between April and May. DSWD will be distributing the cash in a different mode of payments applicable.
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