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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider House COVID-19 panel proposes to cut P8,000 cash aid in half

House COVID-19 panel proposes to cut P8,000 cash aid in half

Published Apr 28, 2020 12:00 am
By Ellson Quismorio Why not slash the maximum Social Amelioration Program (SAP) emergency cash aid of P8,000 in half in order to benefit more families during the pandemic? House of the Representatives (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO) House of the Representatives (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO) House Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC) Peace and Order Cluster co-chairman, Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus "Bong" Suntay gave this suggestion Tuesday morning during the virtual technical working group (TWG) hearing of the panel. "Ang nakita ko lang ho na naging problema nito, bagamat mukhang malaki ang perang na-allocate natin, ito'y lubhang kulang para mabigyan lahat ng nangangailangan (The problem I've seen with this is that, although the funds we allocated for it appears huge, it's not enough to provide for all of those in need)," Suntay told the panel in his Zoom-aided presentation. "May mga sector na nagsasabi, para doon sa mga nakakuha ng P8,000 a month for two months, eh baka pwede raw hatiin ito na gawing P4,000 na lang para ma-doble yung beneficiary (There are sectors saying that those who will receive P8,000 a month for two months can maybe make do with half or P4,000 in order to double the number of beneficiaries)," he explained. "I hope it is something that the implementors would consider," Suntay added. The P275-billion SAP is one of the key features of Republic Act (RA) No. 11469, also known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Under the program, some 18 million low-income families will be given P5,000 to P8,000, depending on region, per month for two months (April and May) as emergency assistance amid the public health emergency. The maximum dole out of P8,000 is primarily concentrated in the National Capital Region (NCR), where minimum wage is the highest. Incidentally, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano noted over the weekend that only 54 percent of families in NCR or Metro Manila have received the cash aid, as opposed to the rate of 76 percent to 90 percent in areas outside the region. As such, Cayetano prodded the Department of Social Welfare and Development to find ways to expand its financial aid distribution. Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, who presided over the TWG hearing, said that all of the presentations made by the DCC Tuesday took into account the inputs of all 302 House of Representatives members. The hearing was still ongoing as of posting.
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