Consistent with spirit of the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released a total of P199.975-Billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to fund its Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

The combined allotments released to the DSWD includes its regular social services budget and the additional allotments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for its social amelioration programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). The following allotments were released to DSWD since the enactment of the “Bayanihan” Law in 24 March 2020:

 

According to the DSWD, 18 Million households nationwide will receive assistance thru the SAP including 4.4 Million households who are existing beneficiaries of the Expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who will receive top-up assistance from their existing payouts to complete the P5,000-P8,000 monthly SAP grants for two months during the Enhanced Community Quarantine Period. Non-4Ps beneficiaries of the SAP will receive the full P5,000-P8,000 grant depending on the area of residence.

The combined released amount for the SAP is sourced from the pooled savings from discontinued unreleased appropriations consistent with Section 4(v) of the “Bayanihan” Law, as well as from DSWD’s regular appropriations under the FY 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and its continuing appropriations under the FY 2019 GAA. 

The additional P5-Billion allotment requested by the DSWD for its administrative expenses in implementing the SAP will be evaluated by the DBM upon submission of required supporting documents consistent with existing budgeting laws, rules and regulations. Specific guidelines and details regarding release of the SAP to beneficiaries and eligibility requirements may be best referred to the DSWD.

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