Cebu mayors meet to clarify issues over social amelioration assistance
CEBU, April 15 (PIA) — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia together with the local chief executives and representatives from the national government agencies involved in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) held a meeting recently to clarify the guidelines and address concerns on the implementation process.
“Everybody has to understand na hindi naman yan individual-based, that is family-based, kaya kahit dalawa or tatlo yung matatawag nating eligible per family, isa lang ang mabibigyan per family. That’s 6,000 per family,” said Garcia during an interview over the Laging Handa Network Briefing.
Garcia emphasized that there is enough budget for SAP and “it’s only a matter of providing the linkage between the agency and the projected beneficiary.”
She asked the local chief executives to look at other amelioration packages offered by other agencies aside from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Bayanihan To Heal As One Act
The passage of the Bayanihan to Heal to As One-Act paved the way for the distribution of cash assistance to 18 million Filipino families affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The emergency subsidy ranges from a minimum of P5,000 to a maximum of P8,000.
The rate will be computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wage.
In line with this, Joint Memorandum Circular No.1 was created to provide specific guidelines on the various social amelioration programs directed to assist the most affected residents of areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Among the agencies involved are DSWD, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Another government agency that offers amelioration program is the Department of Transportation through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) wherein the target beneficiaries are drivers of public utility jeepneys, buses, taxis, transport network vehicle service, motorcycle taxis, and school transport.
Drivers whose livelihood is affected due to the ECQ is expected to receive a cash aid of P5,000 for the months of April and May.
Rice farmers will also receive financial assistance of P5,000 from DA.
The one-time aid will be given to rice farmers whose farm size does not exceed more than one hectare and is listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.
DA, through the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program for Marginalized, Small Farmers and Fishers, also offers loan assistance with zero percent interest rate amounting to P25,000.
Meanwhile, DOLE is currently providing employment assistance to informal workers under Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD)-Barangay ko, Bahay ko (BKBK). (poc/PIA7)
source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039020