QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Office of the Secretary, clarified that the payouts for the cash assistance for affected individuals in the National Capital Region (NCR) are yet to be set by the Local Government Units (LGUs).

This clarification was made following a news article that misquoted the DSWD Spokesperson, Director Irene Dumlao, of saying that cash aid payouts in NCR may start on August 7. 

In her radio interview where the news article was lifted, Director Dumlao expressed "hopefully within the day (Friday) mailabas na nga ang Local Budget Circular (LBC) and sana pati na ang notice of cash allocation." This, as she explained that funds for the financial assistance will be downloaded directly by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the LGUs, as contained in the Memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated August 03, 2021.

It can be recalled that on August 06, 2021, the DBM issued LBC No. 138 setting the budget parameters for the financial assistance. Pursuant to this, the DILG, DSWD, and DND crafted the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) which will be the guide of the LGUs in distributing the financial assistance. 

The said JMC has been signed today, August 07, 2021 and will be issued by the DILG to the LGUs for their onward scheduling of payouts. (DSWD)