The Marcos government has released more than P29.67 billion worth of aid to farmers, indigents, calamity victims and health care workers, among others, during the first 100 days of President Marcos Jr., the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
“The various forms of assistance include support to farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law; the most vulnerable households impacted by inflation; those in difficult circumstances including those in crisis situations, and typhoon and earthquake victims; commuters along the EDSA Carousel Route; and eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 health care response,” the DBM said in a statement released late Saturday, the day that the President marked his first 100 days in office.
The DBM said part of the released budget include the P8.053 billion released to the Department of Agriculture (DA) last July 29 for the P5,000 subsidy given to more than 1.56 million eligible rice farmers for their third and fourth quarter subsidy for 2022 under the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance program; and the P4.1 billion released to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last August 1 for the Targeted Cash Transfer Program, which aims to help mitigate the impact of inflation, especially on the most vulnerable households.
It also included the P2 billion released to DSWD last August 8 for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation that covers financial aid for transportation, medical, burial, food and other support services which are given to individuals and families in a crisis situation.
DBM, on August 8, also released P1.58 billion to DSWD for its P10,000 emergency shelter assistance given to over 153,410 households affected by Typhoon Odette in Regions VI (Western Visayas), VIII (Eastern Visayas), X (Northern Mindanao) and XIII (Caraga); on August 9, it released P1.4 billion to support the extended implementation of the Service Contracting Program of the Department of Transportation until December 2022 which provides free rides for commuters along the EDSA Bus Carousel Route.
It also augmented the Quick Response Funds (QRF) to the Department of Public Works and Highways, DSWD and the DA for the immediate relief and assistance to typhoon and earthquake victims across the country, but did not say how much QRF was released.
This month, DBM approved the release to the Department of Health of P1.04 billion to cover the unpaid COVID-19 special risk allowance claims of 55,211 health workers; and P11.5 billion to cover the One COVID-19 Allowance/Health Emergency Claims of over 1.6 million eligible public and private health care and non-health care workers.
“The DBM has indeed made significant strides in supporting the current government’s plans, programs and projects in its first 100 Days and much more will be done as it looks forward in funding a budget that is responsive to every need of every Filipino,” the agency said.
