Second round of cash aid to push through even if Bayanihan law expires: Palace

MANILA- Malacañang assured the public Monday that the second tranche of COVID-19 cash aid will be distributed to poor families even if the law governing it expires this month.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the June 25 expiry of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act would not affect the second round of cash assistance for poor families under the government's social amelioration program.

"Tuloy po ang second tranche ng ayuda kahit kailan pa nag expire ang Bayanihan Act," Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

(The second tranche of cash aid will push through even if the Bayanihan Act expires)

"Hindi po apektado ng expiration 'yan dahil 'yung obligasyon at 'yung pera ay naririyan naman po," he added.

(That is not affected by the expiry of the law because the obligation and money is there.)

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, each beneficiary will receive cash aid ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 twice (April and May) based on minimum wage rates in the region.

The program was later expanded to cover 5 million more families.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday said it is verifying the list for cash aid for the additional 5 million families.

"The Department will issue Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms with code specifically for the additional beneficiaries," it said in a statement.

Poor families in Benguet, Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog Region, Central Luzon (except Aurora province), Pangasinan, Albay Province, Zamboanga City, Iloilo, Cebu Province, Bacolod City, and Davao City are entitled to the second tranche of cash aid according to the DSWD.

• 17 million families to benefit from second tranche of COVID-19 cash aid: Palace