ASSISTANCE SHOULD REACH THE POOR – GO

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go vowed that he would see to it that the cash aid provided under Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” would reach the poor and those who are most in need of assistance.

In a radio interview, Go said he would closely monitor the provision of the cash and food aid to low-income Filipino families.

“Cash should be given to them so they could use it immediately. This is good for two months. For low-income families, it depends on the minimum wage in your place. For example, in Metro Manila, our daily wage is larger, the salary here in Manila, so P8,000. For those in the provinces it is P5,000,” he said.

Go gave assurances that poor families who are not under the government’s conditional cash transfer program would still receive cash aid as long as local government units identify them as indigent families.

The law provides that in the grant of the P5,000 to P8,000 cash subsidy, the Conditional cash transfer program and rice subsidy of the government shall be taken into account. If a CCT beneficiary presently receives P1,500, the emergency subsidy will provide P6,500.

According to the 2020 projections based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey, there are 18 million low- income households in the Philippines.

“We are monitoring this. The executive [branch] will report to Congress on a weekly basis. Our intention here is to ensure that this will reach our most informal sector, those who are in need of help…we forced then to stay in their houses for their safety and we will take care of them,” Go said.

Go added “the assistance will be given directly to the target beneficiary.”

As for apartment renters and tenants who may need additional time to pay for their rent falling due during the quarantine period, Go said the new law would also allow them a 30-day grace period without incurring interest, penalties, fees or other charges.