By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI has already released cash aids to all local government units in areas under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Western Visayas.
As of Friday afternoon, DSWD-6 has completed downloading the special Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to the local government units (LGUs).
Iloilo City and 42 towns and one component of Iloilo province already received their AICS with a total of P2,662,244,000.
DSWD-6 public information officer May Rago-Castillo said some LGUs will start their distribution of cash aid on Saturday, August 1.
As expected, the highly urbanized Iloilo City got the big chunk of the aid with P461.744 million.
In Iloilo province, DSWD-6 already released AICS to the following areas on July 29:
* Alimodian – P39.800 million
* Anilao – P32.784 million
* Barotac Nuevo – P65.408 million
* Batad – P25.688 million
* Bingawan – P17.512 million
* Dueñas – P39.268 million
* Estancia – P51.136 million
* Igbaras – P33.684 million
* Leganes – P30.616 million
* Leon – P55.640 million
* Maasin – P37.128 million
* Miag-ao – P69.240 million
* Mina – P28.272 million
* New Lucena – P23.660 million
* Passi City – P93.998 million
* Pavia – P81.468 million
* San Dionisio – P44.164 million
* San Enrique – P41.860 million
* San Joaquin – P52.776 million
* San Miguel – P31.558 million
* San Rafael – P19.128 million
* Sta. Barbara – P72.552 million
* Tigbauan – P68.420 million
* Tubungan – P24.200 million
* Zarraga – P31.792 million
On July 30, these remaining LGUs received their AICS:
* Ajuy – P62.608 million
* Badiangan – P29.040 million
* Balasan – P41.520 million
* Banate – P39.148 million
* Barotac Viejo – P53.928 million
* Cabatuan – P65.836 million
* Calinog – P56.604 million
* Carles – P78.236 million
* Concepcion – P47.904 million
* Dingle – P53.360 million
* Dumangas – P86.108 million
* Guimbal – P38.652 million
* Janiuay – P63.480 million
* Lambunao – P81.852 million
* Lemery – P36.588 million
* Oton – P104.128 million
* Pototan – P85.040 million
* Sara – P61.696 million
On Monday, DSWD-6 confirmed that 665,561 families are covered by the P2.6-billion stimulus package for the city and province of Iloilo, which reverted to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status since July 16 until August 7.
The number of beneficiaries were taken from the estimated population of both areas.
The DSWD-6 will give P1,000 per affected individual with a maximum amount of P4,000 per family.
The same aid will also be given to affected individuals in Cagayan de Oro City, and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental as stipulated in Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2, Series of 2021 undertaken by DSWD along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of National Defense (DND).
The agencies signed on July 25 the implementing guidelines for the distribution of financial assistance to local government units under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Castillo has earlier said that the affected local government unit (LGU) will identify the beneficiaries based on the guidelines set by the agency.
Based on the guidelines, priority target beneficiaries of the special AICS are affected individuals and families who are suffering from the economic disruption brought about by the declaration of a localized ECQ in their area.
The target beneficiaries may include families who were previous recipients of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) under Bayanihan 1 and additional beneficiaries of emergency subsidy under Bayanihan 2; individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, such as individuals living alone, senior citizens or Persons with Disability (PWD); and others who have been stranded by reason of employment in the province, city, or municipality under ECQ. The JMC emphasized that the target beneficiaries, at the time of the declaration of the ECQ, must be physically residing, either temporarily or permanently, or who are still in the ECQ areas.
The aid falls under DSWD’s AICS program. It is the provision of integrated services to individuals and families in crisis or difficult situation.
At the onset of the ECQ imposition, Macapobre revealed that the agency proposed provision of financial assistance for the Ilonggos.
“We are recommending provision of cash to the families because this option will be more responsive to the urgent needs of the people,” Macapobre said.
Meanwhile, under the JMC, LGUs are expected to post on their official websites, social media accounts, and at conspicuous places in the concerned barangays the list of approved beneficiaries, prior to actual distribution.
LGUs are expected to release the assistance in cash to the beneficiaries and conduct the distribution of financial assistance within 15 days from receipt of funds transferred by the DSWD.
Furthermore, based on the JMC, LGUs will create their own Grievance and Appeals Committee to receive and address complaints or grievances.
A Joint Monitoring and Inspection Committee (JMIC) will also be created to provide technical assistance to the concerned LGUs and to monitor their compliance with the provisions of the JMC and the Special AICS Guidelines of the DSWD.
