A total of 894,208 families in the CALABARZON Region already received the emergency cash subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as one of the response measures of the national government for those greatly affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

The SAP under the DSWD targets low income families belonging to the informal worker sector and vulnerable sectors such as persons with disability, senior citizens, indigenous peoples and solo parents.

From the said number, 311,481 are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries and 582,727 are low-income families identified by the respective local government units, who are partners of the DSWD in the implementation of the said program.

The distribution of the subsidy is ongoing in 136 localities in the region until the 2.24 million target families of the region are reached out.

Support for greatly-affected families

In the CALABARZON Region, each family receives PhP6,500 as cash subsidy. This amount aims to help these families in supporting their daily needs while they are unable to work and earn income during the quarantine period.

“Malaking tulong po ito para sa pamilya namin lalo na at hindi ako nakapasada simula pa noong Marso. Ipambibili po namin ito ng pagkain para sa aming pamilya,” shared Allan Gonzales, 50, a resident of Brgy. Banay-Banay in Lipa City, Batangas.

Gonzales is a public utility jeepney driver who is unable to provide for his family of six. He received his cash subsidy last April 25.

Juliana Olores, 65, also shares her appreciation to the cash assistance she received.

“Malaking pasasalamat ko talaga dito kasi magkakaroon na kami ng pambili ng bigas,” shared Olores, a resident of Brgy. Mabuhay in Carmona, Cavite.

Olores is a vendor who is unable to travel to the market in Muntinlupa City where she sells her crops since the strict implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

“Ginamit namin ‘yung kaunti naming puhunan na panggastos sa pang-araw-araw tsaka ‘yung binibigay na relief goods mula sa munisipyo. Ngayon, may pansarili na kaming panggastos,” she added.

Appeal to LGUs

Meanwhile, the DSWD appeals to local government units to reach out to families who are excluded from the program.

“Bagamat gusto nating bigyang lahat ng cash subsidy, mayroon lamang po tayong target na bilang na sapat lamang sa pondong ibinaba sa atin. Kung kaya’t nanawagan tayo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na bigyan ng prayoridad sa pagbibigay ng tulong ngayong may quarantine ang mga hindi napasama sa programang ito,” shared DSWD Field Office IV-A OIC Regional Director Lucia Almeda.#