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The right to social security of the workers in the informal economy/ sector
wage rates for two months starting April 2021 and the participants affirmed that they
received the 1st and 2nd tranche of the cash subsidy. Unfortunately, the assistance was
not sufficient to cover the basic necessities of a family of five (5). As noted above, the
WIES are spending PhP 8,666.70 monthly for food alone and PhP 20,397.30 for other
basic necessities. Assuming they received the two (2) tranches, PhP 16,000 is still not
enough to cover the monthly expenditure of the family of five (5) for two (2) months
especially for the WIES who suddenly lost their livelihoods. Additionally, the release
of the 2nd tranche of the cash subsidy was delayed and started its payout only in July
2021. This has even caused challenges for them as they have to stretch out the first cash
assistance to more than a month until they receive the second payout.
a. The initiative of the agencies to open various channels i.e. banks or ATMs,
money transfer services, such as Palawan Express or M Lhuillier, digital
payment applications like GCash or Paymaya, and physical delivery of the cash
to facilitate the disbursement of financial assistance to beneficiaries is
commendable. This makes the process of releasing the cash subsidy more
efficient, more convenient, and safer for the beneficiaries. It lessens the risk of
the beneficiaries getting infected with the virus as it minimizes the time of
exposure of the beneficiaries to the public.
b. Allegations of political accommodations and close ties with government
officials as a ground for qualification to the Social Amelioration Program are
disturbing. The emergency subsidy has been allocated primarily for the
vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant
women, solo parents, OFWs (distress at repatriated), indigenous people,
homeless, farmers, fisherfolks, self-employed, informal settlers, and those
under “No Work-No Pay” arrangements i.e. drivers, househelp, construction
workers, etc. However, the issues surrounding the preparation and finalization
of the list of beneficiaries could have opened opportunities for the implementers
to give cash aid to ineligible families, including those with whom they have
close or political ties.
c. The national government agency should, in instances like this, ensure that the
guidelines are clear, specific, simple, and coherent to make sure that the benefits
and entitlements of citizens during this crisis get to the right beneficiaries
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