In response to observations that the validation process of beneficiaries is causing the delay in the provision of the emergency subsidy under the Bayanihan Fund: Tulong Laban sa COVID-19, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has amended its existing guidelines to expedite the distribution of the cash aid.

Under the amended measure, validation of beneficiaries will be conducted after the pay out of the subsidies. Thus, local government units (LGUs) may proceed with the distribution of the cash aid within 24- hours upon receipt of the funds from the Department. The DSWD, will conduct validation within fifteen (15) days from receipt of documents from the LGUs that support the completion of the distribution of the emergency subsidies. The validation is vital to detect the duplication of assistance and to ascertain the eligibility of the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, for the LGU constituents that are not covered by the SAP of the government but are included in the lists of their respective mayors, DSWD is requesting the local chief executives and their councils to look into their finances, savings, programmed projects for the year that can be deferred, and other possible sources of funds that are available to them, which can be used to fill in the gap of their additional beneficiaries being requested from the DSWD. The consolidated list of eligible beneficiaries may also be submitted to the DSWD for endorsement to the Department of Finance and Department of Budget and Management.

The Department appealed for understanding as it continues to find ways to respond fully well and in a timely manner to the needs of the 18 million low-income families during these critical times. ###Attachments area