MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Thursday that it will provide a P500 monthly subsidy to every indigent Filipino family before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term on June 30.
This was after the chief executive ordered to provide P200 per month to needy families to cope with the rising cost of oil and commodities, which was later raised to P500.
However, according to the Department of Budget and Management, the P500 monthly subsidy is only good for three months or a total of Php 1,500 per household.
“Inaasahan po natin na itong P500 per month na subsidy ay maumpisahan na nga po bago magtapos ‘yung termino ni Pangulong Duterte.”
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao
(We expect the distribution of the P500 per month subsidy to start before President Duterte’s term ends.)
The distribution date has not yet been announced as the department is still in preparation.
“Ina-account na po natin kung ilan sa ating mga mahihirap na pamilya ang mayroon nang mga existing na cash cards upang sila na po ‘yung maunang mapahatiran ng first tranche ng subsidy po na ito mula sa national government,” said Dumlao.
(We are accounting for how many of our poor families have existing cash cards so they could get the first tranche of the subsidy from the national government.)
The assistance is expected to benefit around 12.4 million households.