Duterte admin releases P389B for pandemic spending

As of August 28, the Duterte administration has released P389.06 billion for pandemic-related spending.

The Social Amelioration Program (SAP) accounted for about 54% of total spending at P211.06 billion, providing emergency cash aid to around 23 million households affected by lockdowns.

The Department of Health received P48.9 billion for hazard pay and allowances for health workers, purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), and coronavirus testing kits.

The Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program administered by the Social Security System accounted for P51 billion to encourage employers to retain their workers.