BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga has successfully released the National Government’s Emergency Cash Assistance, which is part of the Social Amelioration Programs (SAP), provided to the most affected poor families due to the ongoing Community Quarantine/Enhanced Community Quarantine due to the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries started receiving the 3,650 pesos cash assistance, which is part of the total 5,000 Pesos aid, last April 5, 2020.

Gina Fe Salvoro, a 42-year old resident from Carmen, Surigao del Sur, thanked the government for the additional assistance they have received.

“Grabe gayud kini kadako nga abag sa among pamilya ilabi na sa panahon karon na nagka-krisis na tungod sa COVID-19 (This is of great help to our family especially now that we are facing a crisis situation because of COVID-19), Salvoro said.

She also commended DSWD personnel, the Local Government Unit, and the Philippine National Police for managing the cash withdrawal systematically. After withdrawing the cash assistance, Salvoro immediately went to the market to buy vegetables and other basic needs.

Regional Director Mita Chuchi Lim said that as enacted in Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the subsidy shall amount to Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) a month for two (2) months to provide for basic food, medicine, and hygienic necessities.

“For 4Ps beneficiaries who does not have a cash card yet, we shall facilitate the immediate distribution of their assistance, we will find the most favorable way of doing so”, RD Lim said.

Moreover, 4Ps beneficiaries from Bayugan, Agusan del Sur also purchased their food stocks after receiving the cash assistance.

Cristitoto Tampos, 40, of Barangay Mt. Carmel, bought 5 kilos of rice and two trays of eggs for his family’s consumption. He firmly adhered to the health protocols of their local government during the cash withdrawal.

“Kung unsa ang mando sa kagamhanan, musunod gayud kita kay aron mas mapadali ang transaksyon. Ako isip haligi sa among panimalay, naningkamot gayud bisan sa akong kapansanan, alang sa akong pamilya (Whatever protocols/procedures the government has, we should abibe by them to have easier transactions. As the breadwinner for our family, I work really hard amidst my disability to provide for my family),” Tampos, a person with disability (PWD), shared.

4Ps beneficiaries received 3,650 pesos, which forms part of the 5,000 pesos assistance, since the remaining 1,350 pesos covers their rice subsidy (600 pesos, and the health grants (750 pesos), which will be given to them in the following weeks.

The Emergency Cash Assistance of DSWD is among the many programs of the different government agencies (DSWD, DOLE, DA, DTI) part of the Social Amelioration Programs. Each program has its target sectors. For DSWD, the focus sectors are those informal sectors which includes the poorest of the poor families in the country, including those of the vulnerable sectors. ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)