In this time of Public Health Emergency, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pledges to strengthen its coordination with various local government agencies (LGUs) in providing necessities to the vulnerable sector in the country. The DSWD announced Sunday to provide social amelioration measures amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for two months to families belonging to vulnerable sectors. The agency aims to support families who have been affected by the community quarantine amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis, and also as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.” This Emergency Subsidy Program includes the DSWD’s provision of food and non-food items (FNFI) and financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). “The P5,000 to P8,000 worth of social amelioration programs is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region’s minimum wage levels as these are close approximations to the amount needed to buy basic food, medicine, and hygiene essentials,” the statement reads. Eligible families will receive cash and in-kind assistance through various national government agencies.

READ: How to apply for DSWD Social Amelioration Program

Furthermore, workers in the informal sectors who were displaced due to the declaration of community quarantine will receive Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) through the Department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). LAG aims to help affected families to start fresh after the quarantine period will be lifted. “The family must be in the master list endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD Field Office (FO) and must still undergo an assessment by a DSWD staff,” DSWD said. “LGUs will prepare the list of the target beneficiaries of the social amelioration measures and endorse this with the complete documentary requirements to the concerned DSWD FO for verification. A Social Amelioration Card (SAC) that captures the family profile will be distributed to the LGUs to enable the beneficiaries to access the assistance. It will also serve as a monitoring tool to avoid duplication of delivery of services. DSWD will also use the existing list of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program to validate the list submitted by LGUs.” Likewise, families under the 4Ps will be supported with an addition to their grants, plus rice subsidy to reach the maximum benefit per region. Since the 4Ps beneficiaries are the most vulnerable, the increase in their existing grants is appropriate to further assist them with their daily needs.

ALSO READ: Social Amelioration Package: Target beneficiaries & its subsidy amount

The social amelioration measures will also help alleviate the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 health crisis and the enhanced community quarantine to the target beneficiaries, particularly the senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating mothers, solo parents, overseas Filipinos in distress, indigent Indigenous Peoples, homeless citizens, and the informal economy workers. —(Source: Department of Social Welfare and Development)