The Philippine Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has refiled a version of his previous House bill that sought a one-time Php10,000 cash assistance to Filipino families with OFW relatives and for other sectors in need, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising prices of fuel and basic commodities.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano revived the Senate version of his previous House bill in the 18th Congress and under the “Sampung Libong Pag-asa Law,” a cash aid of Php10,000 per family or Php1,500 per family member — whichever is higher — will be provided to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with poorest families being a priority.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be tasked to lead the distribution through the “10K Ayuda Assistance Program” to be established under the legislation.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the country, stunt its economy, and disrupt jobs and livelihoods – especially for the most vulnerable. Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures to uplift both the economy and the lives of the Filipino people,” Cayetano said in the bill.
“In line with this, the State shall endeavor to help all Filipinos and the economy get the much-needed financial boost in the wake of inflation, increased prices of basic commodities, and other causes of financial strains and hardships brought about by the pandemic, most especially during the interim that a viable vaccine program is being rolled out by the Government to protect all Filipinos against COVID-19,” he added.
Among the eligible beneficiaries for the program are:
– Poorest of the poor
– Senior citizens
– Persons with disabilities (PWDs)
– Solo parents
– Medical frontliners including Barangay Health Workers
– Families of Filipinos working abroad
– Filipino citizens with a Philippine National ID
– Families who were unable to avail the government’s previous social amelioration packages
– Other members of the vulnerable sectors
