MANILA, (PIA) -- The government is set to distribute its P500 monthly cash assistance to over 12.4 million poorest households before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's term ends in June, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced over the weekend.

According to DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao, their agency would start distributing the monthly assistance before the end of the month.

The cash subsidy would be given in tranches equaling two months at a time, for a total of six months, Dumlao said.

She said, however that the DSWD, the Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have issued a joint memorandum circular.

To recall, President Duterte ordered in March the distribution of monthly assistance or "ayuda" for indigent families.

The target beneficiaries will be the bottom 50 percent of the country’s population, which include households enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program, social beneficiaries and those who are already receiving unconditional assistance.

Dumlao, however, clarified that there are no requirements or preconditions for receiving the cash assistance.

She said their agency has partnered with the Landbank of the Philippines in completing an inventory of beneficiaries who have cash cards for easier distribution. (PIA-NCR)