P2 B to DSWD aid individuals ‘in crisis situations’
By Nidz Godino
“The release of fund is timely…we want to help DSWD extend assistance and protection to families in need,” Department of Budget and Management(DSWD) Sec. Amenah Pangandaman said Department of Budget and Management has released another P2 billion for families and individuals “in crisis situations.”
The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), for release to DSWD, was approved by Budget Secretary Pangandaman on Aug. 8, the DBM said in a statement.
The fund will boost DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) which offers financial assistance for transportation, medical, burial, food and other support services for families or individuals, the DBM said.
As of June 30, AICS program has served over 1.5 million, overshooting its 1.4 million target. More beneficiaries totaling 642,348 are projected for the rest of 2022, the agency said.
“Yun ang hinihiling din po natin sana sa ating DBM, DOF, sana maragdagan pa yung pondo nang sa ganun maabot yung first tranche and then makapag-proceed na po…supposed to be nasa second tranche na tayo,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development is requesting for additional funds for its cash aid program, which is intended to ease financial burden of poor families amid rising fuel and commodity prices.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Department of Finance (DOF) need to provide more funds because around P10-billion fund released so far is not enough.
The DBM has approved release of P4.1 billion to cover second tranche of P500 monthly cash aid. According to Lopez, P6.1 billion funds were earlier released in July.
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