The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided an update on the distribution of funds to beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced the distribution of cash assistance to the poor Filipinos in the midst of rising fuel and commodity prices in recent months. Poor households are given P500 per month for six months under its Targeted Cash Transfer program to help alleviate the effects of high fuel and other commodity prices.

The first and second tranches of the cash assistance program are being released by the government agency. Social Welfare Undersecretary Edu Punay stated in a televised press conference that the first two (2) tranches are for the months of July and August.

According to an ABS-CBN News report, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) previously released approximately P10.33 billion for the first two (2) months of the cash aid program. It aimed to assist 10 million program participants.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development also intends to release the third tranche of DSWD cash aid for the poor “as soon as possible,” according to the report. Punay stated that the funds will be released via the beneficiaries’ cash cards.

The third tranche of DSWD cash assistance for the poor amounts to P5.2 billion and is expected to benefit approximately 9.8 million people. DBM’s stated amount will fund one month of the targeted cash program.

According to reports, Punay previously stated that the social welfare agency will require approximately P20 billion to complete the 6-month cash aid program. At least 12.4 million Filipinos were found to be eligible for the program. Out of the total number, 2.4 million people were expected to be on the waitlist for 4Ps and other agency programs.