P100 billion for first tranche of cash aid released: budget dept

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Apr 03 2020 12:15 PM

P100 billion for first tranche of cash aid released: budget dept 1
Volunteers distribute goods in Barangay Batis, San Juan City on March 23, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Department of Budget and Management said Friday it released an initial P100 billion to fund the state's cash aid program for poor families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will cover the first of 2 months of social amelioration for 18 million households, as called for under the Philippines' coronavirus response law, Bayanihan to Heal as One, the DBM said in a statement. 

The initial funding can be augmented, the agency said. Under the law, monthly cash aid of P5,000 to P8,000 will be given to qualified households.