The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday, Aug. 9, granted the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) that will release an additional Php 2 billion to provide financial aid to poor households.

In a statement by DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, it is an additional budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide assistance for individuals and families who are in difficult circumstances and in crisis situations.

“Ang pondo ng taumbayan, dapat pong mapakinabangan rin ng taumbayan lalo na sa oras ng peligro. The release of this fund is a big help to our kababayans who are caught in difficult situation,” she said.

The budget will cover DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program which is part of the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstance (PSIFDC).

The AICS program provides financial assistance for individuals' transportation, medical, burial, food, and other support services.

Pangandaman said about 1.5 million Filipino have already benefited from the AICS program as of June, this surpassed the original target which is 1.4 million.

While 642,348 Filipinos are expected to receive help this year.

“Patunay ito na binibigyan prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang pagtulong sa mga vulnerable at disadvantaged sectors. Hindi lip service and sinabi ng Pangulo na walang Pilipino ang maiiwan,” she emphasized.

On Aug. 2, DBM released Php 4.13 billion for DSWD’s Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program to provide aid for Filipino families amid rising food prices and fuel.

It covers 2-months of cash assistance worth Php 500 to four million beneficiaries.