The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already forged some 1,316 Memorandum of Agreement with cities and municipalities, excluding BARMM, and  has initially provided 945 local government units (LGUs) with funds amounting to more than P57 billion, as of April 14. 
This is part of the Department’s effort to fast track the distribution of the emergency subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) for low-income families who have been identified as most affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine amid COVID-19. 
Of the amount, P12.4 billion has been allotted for the 17 LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Department expects an increase in the number of families receiving their emergency subsidies in the coming days as distribution continues. 
The Department thanked the LGUs for their role in facilitating the smooth distribution of the SAP in their respective jurisdictions.       
As of press time, 172,357 low income families nationwide have received their emergency cash assistance ranging from P5,000 to P8,000, computed based on the regional minimum wage rate, utilizing over P 929 million. 
Earlier, on April 3-5, more than 3.7 million household-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) across the country received their emergency cash subsidies in the total amount of P16.3 billion. 
Furthermore, through the partnership of DSWD, Department of Transportation-Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (DOTr-LTFRB), and Land Bank of the Philippines,   around 40,000 families with drivers of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) and Public Utility Vehicle (PUV)  in the National Capital Region (NCR) have started to receive their subsidies totalling to more than P323 million. 
Aside from SAP, the Department continues to deliver services through its regular programs, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). 
To date, 13,135 clients with COVID-related concerns were provided with medical/burial assistance  through AICS amounting to more than P61 million. 
Moreover, DSWD continues to provide Family Food Packs (FFPs) as augmentation assistance to LGUs to help them respond to the basic needs of their constituents. The Department has already delivered  386,800 FFPs to LGUs nationwide. 
DSWD vowed to continue to reach out to the neediest sectors of society, despite enormous challenges during these critical times, taking into consideration the health and safety of its beneficiaries and personnel. 
The Department also appealed for cooperation and understanding from the public, at the same time, encouraged   the support and unity of all sectors of society, to ensure the speedy delivery of services to our countrymen who need these the most. ###