665,561 families in Iloilo City, province to receive cash aid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI confirmed on Monday that individuals and families in the city and province of Iloilo will be receiving cash assistance amid the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

From a ballpark figure of around 400,000, the DSWD-6 said that 665,561 families are targeted to be covered by a P2.6-billion stimulus package for the city and province of Iloilo, which has reverted to ECQ status since July 16 until July 31, 2021.

The number of beneficiaries were taken from the estimated population of both areas.

The DSWD-6 will give P1,000 to every affected individual with a maximum amount of P4,000 per family.

The same aid will also be given to affected individuals in Cagayan de Oro City, and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental as stipulated in Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2, Series of 2021 undertaken by DSWD along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of National Defense (DND).

The JMC was signed on July 25 along with the implementing guidelines for the distribution of financial assistance to local government units under ECQ.

DSWD-6 public information officer May Rago-Castillo said the affected local government unit (LGU) will identify the target beneficiaries based on the guidelines set by the agency.

Based on the guidelines, priority target beneficiaries of the special AICS are affected individuals and families who are suffering from the economic disruption brought about by the declaration of a localized ECQ in their area.

The target beneficiaries may include families who were previous recipients of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) under Bayanihan 1 and additional beneficiaries of emergency subsidy under Bayanihan 2; individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, such as individuals living alone, senior citizens or Persons with Disability (PWD); and others who have been stranded by reason of employment in the province, city, or municipality under ECQ.

The JMC emphasized that the target beneficiaries, at the time of the declaration of the ECQ, must be physically residing, either temporarily or permanently, or who are still in the ECQ areas.

The cash aid could be transferred to the affected LGUs anytime from today.

Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, DSWD-6 regional director, said they understand the urgent need for assistance in Iloilo City and Province which are now on ECQ.

That’s why, “we will be immediately facilitating the releasing of cash aid to LGUs so that they can distribute simultaneously. Sabay-sabay na na pag-release para mabilis na matanggap ng mga tao ang tulong,” she said.

The aid falls under DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. It is the provision of integrated services to individuals and families in crisis or difficult situation.

As can be recalled, at the onset of the ECQ imposition, Macapobre revealed that the agency proposed provision of financial assistance for the Ilonggos.

“We are recommending provision of cash to the families because this option will be more responsive to the urgent needs of the people,” Macapobre said.

 

POSTING

Under the JMC, LGUs are expected to post on their official websites, social media accounts, and at conspicuous places in the concerned barangays the list of approved beneficiaries, prior to actual distribution.

LGUs are expected to release the assistance in cash to the beneficiaries and conduct the distribution of financial assistance within 15 days from receipt of funds transferred by the DSWD.

Furthermore, based on the JMC, LGUs will create their own Grievance and Appeals Committee to receive and address complaints or grievances.

A Joint Monitoring and Inspection Committee (JMIC) will also be created to provide technical assistance to the concerned LGUs and to monitor their compliance with the provisions of the JMC and the Special AICS Guidelines of the DSWD.