DBM releases P200-B to DSWD’s Social Amelioration Program

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Saturday it had released around P200 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to cover funding requirements for its cash assistance for low-income households.

In a statement, the DBM said a total of P199,975,309,353.00 was released to the DSWD since the enactment of the Bayanihan to Heal as Once Act on March 24.

“The combined allotments released to the DSWD includes its regular social services budget and the additional allotments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for its social amelioration programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS),” it said.

The Social Amelioration Program covers some 18 million low-income households nationwide, including 4.4 million families who are existing beneficiaries of the Expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Beneficiaries of the 4Ps will receive top-up assistance from their existing payouts to complete the P5,000-P8,000 monthly grants for two months during the enhanced community quarantine period.

Non-4Ps beneficiaries, on the other hand, will receive the full P5,000-P8,000 grant depending on the area of residence.

“The combined released amount for the SAP is sourced from the pooled savings from discontinued unreleased appropriations consistent with Section 4(v) of the ‘Bayanihan’ aw, as well as from DSWD’s regular appropriations under the FY 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and its continuing appropriations under the FY 2019 GAA,” the DBM said.

The additional P5-billion allotment requested by the DSWD for its administrative expenses in implementing the Social Amelioration Program will be evaluated by the DBM upon submission of required supporting documents consistent with existing budgeting laws, rules, and regulations. — DVM, GMA News