(Eagle News)–The Department of the Interior and Local Government has urged local government units to fast-track the distribution of social amelioration cards that will serve as the basis for the distribution of the monthly assistance for low-income families.
In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also urged LGUs to complete the list of beneficiaries of the emergency subsidy program consisting of cash and non-cash monthly assistance amounting to P5,000 to 8,000 for two months.
“We must act fast to help our poor countrymen. I am directing all LGUs to produce a master list of the social amelioration programs’ target beneficiaries at the earliest possible time for us to be able to immediately address the needs of our countrymen,” Año said.
The government has said around 18 million low-income families affected by the enhanced community quarantine will benefit from the program, which President Rodrigo Duterte had touted as the biggest social welfare program of the country.
Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the public should coordinate with their local government units or the Department of Social Welfare and Development through their social media pages for instance to determine how to be included as a beneficiary of the program.
Año also reminded LGUs to ensure that the social distancing policy is implemented and mass gatherings banned, noting that the cards should be distributed in each house.
“It will defeat the purpose of controlling the spread of the coronavirus if we will not practice proper ECQ protocols. Baka imbes na mapababa natin ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa ay dito pa tayo magkaproblema,” Año said.
The ECQ is expected to last until April.