THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said all Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries with cash cards have received emergency subsidy.

The 4Ps emergency subsidy were released under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) Bayanihan Fund: Tulong Laban sa COVID-19 on April 5.

All 4Ps beneficiaries with cash cards in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) received their emergency cash subsidy as early as Friday, April 3.

The second release was made on April 4 for Regions IV-B, V, VI, VII, and IX, and on April 5, for Regions VIII, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA.

Out of the total 4Ps beneficiaries, more than 3.6 million with cash cards nationwide were provided with the subsidy with a total budget allocation of more than P16.3 billion.

For 4Ps beneficiaries who have yet to receive their cash cards, funds have been downloaded to the DSWD regional offices to facilitate the immediate payment of the said cash subsidy. The agency is working on the distribution arrangements with the local government units (LGUs) together with the city and municipal links who will coordinate with the beneficiaries for the scheduled release of their emergency cash subsidy.

DSWD ensures that proper arrangements will be made during the release of the emergency subsidy and that social distancing and other health and safety protocols will be strictly observed during the withdrawal of the cash aid.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” Act, about 18 million low-income households, including 4Ps household beneficiaries, are expected to receive emergency cash assistance to cushion the impact of the public health emergency due to the Covid-19.