City mayors seek DSWD clarification on subsidy guidelines

By Nanette Guadalquiver

 

CLARIFICATION. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, is asking the Department of Social Welfare and Development to issue an official statement on the guidelines for the release of government financial assistance amid the Covid-19 crisis. The LCP is "deeply concerned of the growing perception through the media that there is enough budget to cover all lower-income households", he said in a letter addressed to Secretary Rolando Bautista dated April 4, 2020. (PNA Bacolod file photo)

BACOLOD CITY -- The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has sought clarification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the guidelines for the release of government financial assistance amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.

"We are respectfully requesting (for) a clear statement from DSWD that the Emergency Subsidy Program is not for everyone but only for the beneficiaries qualified under the DSWD guidelines," Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, national president of LCP, said in his April 4 letter addressed to Secretary Rolando Bautista.

Through the DSWD, the national government is providing a subsidy of PHP5,000 to P8,000 each for eligible families affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in various areas nationwide.

Leonardia said the league is "deeply concerned of the growing perception through the media that there is enough budget to cover all lower-income households".

"With so much unfounded and even malicious speculations circulating on allegations of corruption and many other issues that may have created inordinate expectations and speculations among our people, we believe and humbly request that the DSWD release an official statement," he added.

Specifically, Leonardia said the city mayors are requesting that the DSWD clarify that not everyone will receive the subsidy but only those qualified under its guidelines and that the assistance will be distributed by DSWD to the qualified beneficiaries in coordination, and with the support of the local government units (LGUs) and the barangays.

Leonardia said on Sunday that he sent the letter-request to Bautista after his fellow city mayors informed him that the misconception and false expectations have been causing confusion among their constituents and barangay officials.

He added that in Bacolod, village chiefs have also been reporting to him about the complaints of some residents, who believe "everyone is qualified" to receive the financial assistance.

Some 18 million low-income households across the country expected to receive the subsidy.

Beneficiaries from the National Capital Region will receive the highest amount at PHP8,000, while those in Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions will receive PHP6,500. Other regions will receive around PHP5,000 to PHP6,000.

The cash subsidy schedule is based on the upper limit of the daily minimum wage in each region.

With a funding of PHP200 billion, the emergency subsidy is provided under Section 4C of Republic Act No. 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act". (PNA)