THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will tap digital payment schemes in distributing the cash assistance under the social amelioration program (SAP) and ask the uniformed forces to provide security during the distribution in remote areas.
Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday night, May 19, said digital payouts to beneficiaries in highly urbanized cities would not only be faster but would also promote social distancing through contactless distribution.
“Ito maganda rito kasi bukod sa mapapabilis ang pagbibigay ng ayuda ay wala pang contact sa pagbibigay ng pera,” Bautista said in his report to the President.
“So apparently ine-expect natin na since mayroong mga remittance centers, may mga bangko, sa mga highly urbanized city o kaya sa mga urban areas ay mapadali nating maibibigay ‘yung ayuda sa mga benepisyaryo,” he added.
He also said they have had initial coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police on the distribution of cash assistance in remote barangays.
“Mayroon na kaming initial coordination sa liderato ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at saka PNP (Philippine National Police) para makatulong sila sa pagbibigay ng ayuda lalong-lalo na sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” said Bautista.
He added that the AFP earlier presented a model similar to online cash distribution.
“Relative also doon sa sinasabi nga ng AFP, sabi nila mayroon na silang actually model na puwedeng gamitin dito sa pagtulong sa DSWD. Ito ‘yung modelo na ginamit nila during the election pero ia-adjust lang nila ‘to just to — mag-tailor fit siya dito sa gagawin nating pagdi-distribute ng ayuda nationwide,” Bautista said.
Under Republic Act. No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, a cash grant of P5,000 to P8,000 will be provided to 23 million low-income households affected by the nationwide lockdown.
Almost all of the initial targeted 18 million families have received the first tranche.
For the second tranche, the government will prioritize the additional five million families who were targeted on top of the 18 million. (SunStar Philippines)