MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released around PHP29.5 billion worth of assistance to various beneficiaries in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days in office.
In a press release Sunday, the DBM said the different forms of assistance included support to farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law; vulnerable households impacted by inflation; those crisis situations; and typhoon and earthquake victims.
Assistance was also released for funding free rides for commuters along the Edsa Carousel Route as well as eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the Covid-19 healthcare response.
“The DBM has indeed made significant strides in supporting the current government’s plans, programs and projects in its first 100 Days and much more will be done as it looks forward in funding a budget that is responsive to every need of every Filipino,” the DBM said.
Below is a list of assistance provided to various beneficiaries:
*PHP8 billion - for the Department of Agriculture’s distribution of PHP5,000 in subsidy to 1,563,781 eligible rice farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law in the third and fourth quarters of 2022
*PHP4.1 billion - for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) distribution of the second tranche of the PHP500 monthly cash aid for low-income families or the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) Program intended to cushion the impact of rising fuel and commodity prices
*PHP2 billion - for the DSWD’s distribution of cash aid to those in difficult circumstances, including those in crisis situations or the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)
*PHP1.5 billion - for the DSWD’s distribution of PHP10,000 emergency shelter assistance to 153,410 totally damaged houses in Regions 6, 8, 10 and 13 that were affected by Typhoon Odette
*PHP1.4 billion - for the Department of Transportation’s funding to support the extended “Libreng Sakay” program that funds free rides for commuters along the Edsa Carousel Route until December 2022
*PHP1 billion - for the Department of Health’s (DOH) funding to cover the unpaid Covid-19 special risk allowance claims of 55,211 health workers
*PHP11.5 billion - for the DOH’s funding to cover the One Covid-19 Allowance or Health Emergency Claims of over 1.6 million eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers. (PNA)
