The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of billions of pesos in assistance as the Marcos Jr Administration marks its first 100 Days today, October 8, 2022.
The various forms of assistance include support to farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law; the most vulnerable households impacted by inflation; those in difficult circumstances including those in crisis situations, and typhoon and earthquake victims; commuters along the EDSA Carousel Route; and eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 health care response.
The DBM approved last July 29, 2022, the release of the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) amounting to P8,053,474,140 to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the provision and distribution of P5,000 in subsidy to 1,563,781 eligible rice farmers on the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2022. The release of the NCA is in line with the implementation of the Rice Farmers' Financial Assistance (RFFA) program, in order to provide support to rice farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law.
The Budget Department likewise approved last August 1, 2022 the release of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P4,133,932,538 to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help mitigate the impact of inflation, especially on the most vulnerable households, through the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) Program. This P4.1 Billion budget allotment covers the second tranche requirements for the implementation of the TCT Program, and is expected to benefit over four million beneficiaries.
Also approved last August 8, 2022 was the release of a SARO amounting to two billion pesos to the DSWD to assist those in difficult circumstances, including those in crisis situations. The DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) forms part of the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC). AICS is a provision of integrated services, which include financial assistance for transportation, medical, burial, food and other support services, which are given to individuals and families in crisis situation.
Meanwhile, the DBM released last August 8, 2022 the funding to support the P10,000 emergency shelter assistance to over 150,000 households affected by Typhoon Odette. This is in the form of a SARO amounting to P1,580,123,000 granting the request of the DSWD for emergency shelter assistance to aid in the reconstruction of 153,410 totally damaged houses in Regions VI, VIII, X and XIII.
Related to this is the replenishment and / or allocation of Quick Response Funds (QRFs) to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the DSWD and the Department of Agriculture (DA), for the immediate relief and assistance to typhoon and earthquake victims across the country.
The DBM likewise released last August 9, 2022 the P1.4 Billion funding to support the extended implementation of the Service Contracting Program of the Department of Transportation until December 2022. This program funds free rides for commuters along the EDSA Bus Carousel Route.
Finally, the DBM approved this week the release of P1.04 Billion to the Department of Health (DOH) to cover the unpaid COVID-19 special risk allowance (SRA) claims of 55,211 health workers, and another P11.5 Billion to cover the One COVID-19 Allowance/Health Emergency Claims of over 1.6 million eligible public and private healthcare and non-health care workers.
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.
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