DSWD starts cash subsidy distribution to low-income families

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun distributing emergency cash subsidies to low-income families in the informal sector affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Each eligible household will receive between P5,000 to P8,000 monthly for two months, with the amount varying based on regional minimum wage rates.

The DSWD has P100 billion ready for distribution to 18 million poor families, representing half of the total P200 billion allocated for the emergency subsidy program.

Distribution through bank deposits for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) cash card holders started on April 3 for Regions I, II, III, Calabarzon, NCR, CAR, and BARMM.

Subsequent distributions on Saturday covered Regions IV-B, V, VI, VII, and IX, with the remaining regions receiving their subsidies this week.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released half of the total funds, with the remainder to be disbursed upon submission of a utilization report by the DSWD.