Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020 highlights the special guidelines on the provision of the social amelioration measures by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Interior and Local Government to the most affected residents of the areas under the enhanced community quarantine. The Joint Memorandum Circular has been the guideline by the various mentioned agencies in its bid to streamline and harmonize social amelioration programs to mitigate the impact of the recent virus outbreak.
The program will provide cash or non-cash subsidy to eighteen (18) million household beneficiaries in the amount of Php 5,000 to a maximum of Php 8,000 per month for 2 months for the purpose of purchasing food, medicine, and toiletries; it will be implemented for 2 months (April and May). Moreover, Republic Act 11469 otherwise known as the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act’ affirms the Department of Social and Welfare and Development’s Social Amelioration Program.
According to the DSWD website, P5,000 to P8,000 worth of social amelioration programs is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region’s minimum wage levels as these are close approximations to the amount needed to buy basic food, medicine, and hygiene essentials. It will be given to an eligible family in cash and in-kind by various national government agencies.
Moreover, in an article by the Philippine News Agency, DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao revealed that the agency has started profiling using the social amelioration card (SAC), and local government units are set to submit the list of beneficiaries. Dumlao added that the social amelioration cards will be distributed to identified families in need, in coordination with the local government unit and will be given to residents on a ‘house-to-house basis’. Moreover, the form should be submitted to the LGU which will be returned whilst the other copy will be kept at home for reference and monitoring of authorities. For more information, visit the DSWD website.
