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Revilla: Gov't should focus on first wave of COVID-19 cash aid, cover more families

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/04/07/20200407-bong-revilla.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>From the Official Website of Sen. Ramon &quot;Bong&quot; Revilla Jr.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - Government should focus on the first wave of cash aid for families for now instead of planning for two tranches in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Sen. Ramon &quot;Bong&quot; Revilla Jr. said as he sought to cover more families in need. &quot;Mukhang kailangan mas lawakan pa sa unang projection na 18 million families lang,&quot; Revilla said in a statement.(It seems we need to broaden our initial projection of 18 million families.)He said it would be better to focus on releasing the first wave of aid first so that all those in need are reached, instead of planning for two disbursements. &quot;After this initial release, then we work on the next wave. If we do this, mas marami ang maaabot ng tulong. Roughly, doble ng bilang. Then, tsaka i-operationalize &#x27;yung second wave,&quot; he said.(If we do this, the aid can reach more people. Roughly, double the count. Then that&#x27;s when we operationalize the second wave.)Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, some 18 million families, including those who lost income due to the coronavirus lockdown, will receive a monthly stipend of P5,000 to P8,000 for 2 months to help them cope with the crisis.The Caviteño senator made the suggestion a day after Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla appealed to the national government to include the middle class in the list of cash aid beneficiaries as they are also struggling to provide for their families during the 2-month work stoppage due to the coronavirus crisis.&quot;Matindi na ang epekto ng enhanced community quarantine. Hindi na lang poorest of the poor ang kumakalam ang sikmura. Dapat lahat ng wala nang makain maabutan ng tulong,&quot; Revilla said.(The enhanced community quarantine has severely affected us. Even those who do not belong to the poorest of the poor are also experiencing hunger. We should help all those who have nothing to eat.)<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/06/20/cavite-gov-appeals-inclusion-of-middle-class-in-govt-cash-aid-for-covid-19-crisis">Cavite gov appeals inclusion of &#x27;middle class&#x27; in gov&#x27;t cash aid for COVID-19 crisis</a></li></ul>The executive branch earlier said the government has some P275 billion to finance the government&#x27;s social amelioration program during the 2-month long quarantine, but President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday instructed Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to find other sources to fund aid for poor Filipinos. Revilla said he was sure the Senate and the House of Representatives &quot;will be ready&quot; to hold another special session should there be a need to amend the law to facilitate more aid to Filipinos.As of April 3, 2020, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed P16.34-billion cash aid to 3.72 million families, according to Duterte&#x27;s second weekly report to Congress.A &quot;Livelihood Assistance Grant&quot; will also be released on April 14 to help businesses &quot;start up new or enhance existing micro-enterprises, among others,&quot; it said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/07/20/philippines-gives-p1634-b-emergency-aid-to-372m-families-report">Philippines gives P16.34-B emergency aid to 3.72M families: report</a></li></ul>

Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Tuesday urged the executive branch to limit the distribution of cash aid to a single month, instead of 2 months, to cover more low-income households in need of assistance during the coronavirus crisis.

Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Tuesday urged the executive branch to limit the distribution of cash aid to a single month, instead of 2 months, to cover more low-income households in need of assistance during the coronavirus crisis.

Revilla: Gov't should focus on first wave of COVID-19 cash aid, cover more families

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Revilla: Gov't should focus on first wave of COVID-19 cash aid, cover more families

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 07, 2020 05:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Bong Revilla

Revilla coronavirus aid

coronavirus

COVID-19

corona virus disease 2019

cash aid

Senate

financial assistance

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